$104 Cheap Flights from Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM)

  • Plan, book, fly with confidence

  • trending down icon
    Be in the know
    Get alerts if flight prices drop or rise*
  • bex rewards loyalty icon
    Book smarter
    Save up to 30% on select hotels after you book a flight*
  • one key icon
    Earn twice
    Earn your airline miles on top of our OneKeyCash
Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Detroit to Des Moines (DTW-DSM)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $104 for one-way flights and $220 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Southwest Airlines
United
American Airlines
Delta
Flights from Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM)
Origin airport
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Destination airport
Des Moines Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$220
Distance
531 mi

Detroit to Des Moines Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Detroit to Des Moines

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Detroit to Des Moines are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Detroit to Des Moines with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Detroit to Des Moines

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Detroit to Des Moines: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Detroit to Des Moines

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Detroit to Des Moines in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $104 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Detroit to Des Moines flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Detroit to Des Moines airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

*Terms apply.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to fly from DTW to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Book a ticket with Delta Air Lines and you’ll be traveling for about 1 hour and 48 minutes. This popular carrier operates a direct flight that takes off at 8:38PM from DTW and reaches Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) at 9:26PM. Expedia has some great flight deals, so check out what’s available on this route today.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from DTW to Des Moines Intl. Airport last minute?
Being the spontaneous type is a terrific way to travel the world, but it’s not always the smartest way to pick up a cheap plane ticket. Think about booking your Detroit Metro Airport to DSM journey well ahead of time instead of leaving it till the last minute. Based on flight pricing and demand studies in 2022, we have found that the best time to book domestic flights is between 28 – 35 days ahead of the departure date, and international flights three to four months in advance. Leave all that spontaneity for when you arrive in DSM!
What airports do you fly into for Des Moines from Detroit?
There are two options when flying from Detroit to Des Moines — Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) and Marshalltown, IA (MIW-Marshalltown Municipal). If you arrive at Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) you’ll be around 4 mi to the southwest of downtown Des Moines. Make a beeline for your hotel, then venture out and sample the local sights. Iowa State Fairgrounds and Blank Park Zoo are among this city’s leading attractions.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Detroit Metro Airport to Des Moines Intl. Airport?
For Delta Air Lines flights making their way from DTW to Des Moines Intl. Airport, the most popular departure times are between 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM. If you want to avoid any holdups, book a morning flight. This way you’re more likely to avoid the heavy air traffic that accumulates in the afternoon.
Can I change the date of my flight from Metro Airport to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
We know life happens and plans change, so Expedia is here to help make amending your trip as easy as possible. First, access your Detroit Metro Airport to DSM itinerary through the Expedia Trips portal and check the ticket conditions and rules to see if change fees apply. If you purchased your ticket in the last 24 hours, some carriers will let you cancel without charge and book new flights. If you bought your fare more than 24 hours ago, get in touch with us through our Customer Service portal so we can help you further.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

*Available to One Key members.