$131 Cheap Flights from Washington (IAD) to Des Moines (DSM)

View $131 flight on Sun, Aug 31, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Washington to Des Moines (IAD-DSM)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $131 for one-way flights and $271 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Delta
Tue, Jul 1 - Wed, Jul 2
IAD
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$271 Roundtrip, found 10 hours ago
$271
Roundtrip
found 10 hours ago
Select Delta flight, departing Tue, Jul 1 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Wed, Jul 2, priced at $271 found 10 hours ago
United
Tue, Jul 1 - Wed, Jul 2
IAD
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$271 Roundtrip, found 10 hours ago
$271
Roundtrip
found 10 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Tue, Jul 1 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Wed, Jul 2, priced at $271 found 10 hours ago
United
Tue, Jul 1 - Wed, Jul 2
IAD
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$293 Roundtrip, found 10 hours ago
$293
Roundtrip
found 10 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Tue, Jul 1 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Wed, Jul 2, priced at $293 found 10 hours ago
United
Tue, Jul 1 - Wed, Jul 2
IAD
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$299 Roundtrip, found 10 hours ago
$299
Roundtrip
found 10 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Tue, Jul 1 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Wed, Jul 2, priced at $299 found 10 hours ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Jul 1 - Wed, Jul 2
IAD
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$303 Roundtrip, found 10 hours ago
$303
Roundtrip
found 10 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Jul 1 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Wed, Jul 2, priced at $303 found 10 hours ago
Delta
Sat, May 10 - Wed, May 14
IAD
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$308 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$308
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Delta flight, departing Sat, May 10 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Wed, May 14, priced at $308 found 6 days ago
United
Tue, Aug 26 - Sat, Aug 30
IAD
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$317 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$317
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select United flight, departing Tue, Aug 26 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Sat, Aug 30, priced at $317 found 2 days ago
Delta
Sat, May 24 - Wed, May 28
IAD
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$319 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$319
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Delta flight, departing Sat, May 24 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Wed, May 28, priced at $319 found 1 day ago
United
Tue, Jul 1 - Wed, Jul 2
IAD
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$321 Roundtrip, found 10 hours ago
$321
Roundtrip
found 10 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Tue, Jul 1 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Wed, Jul 2, priced at $321 found 10 hours ago
American Airlines
Mon, May 19 - Sun, May 25
IAD
Washington
DSM
Des Moines
$362 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$362
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Mon, May 19 from Washington to Des Moines, returning Sun, May 25, priced at $362 found 12 hours ago
Flights from Washington (IAD) to Des Moines (DSM)
Origin airport
Washington Dulles Intl.
Destination airport
Des Moines Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$270
Distance
871 mi

Washington to Des Moines Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Washington 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 Washington to Des Moines are during the month of July. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Washington to Des Moines with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington to Des Moines in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $131 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 much does a flight from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) cost?
Discover the latest flight deals from IAD to DSM by entering your preferred travel dates and searching on Expedia. Easily compare prices by departure date if you have flexibility with your schedule and use handy filters to explore prices for your preferred journey. As a member of One Key™, our free loyalty program, you can use Price Tracking to watch fares and receive notifications if prices go up or down.
What is the cheapest month to fly from IAD to DSM?
The cheapest flights from IAD to DSM are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
You can’t fly direct from Washington, DC (IAD-Washington Dulles Intl.) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). However, you can arrive in Des Moines without any layovers by taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
What is the cheapest airline that flies from IAD to DSM?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that’ll take you from IAD to DSM. Sort your results by “Price (lowest to highest)” to snap up a great deal.
How many flights per day from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
There are no daily nonstop flights departing from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). But you can choose flights with layovers. Filter your search results on Expedia to include one or two stops, and you’ll be on your way in no time.
What day of the week has the most flights from IAD to DSM?
Friday is usually the busiest day for flights, while Tuesday tends to be the quietest.* Remember that flight schedules can vary depending on a number of factors, including the time of year and airline.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
To arrive at Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) on schedule, opt for a flight that leaves from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) before 3 PM. The chance of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this hour.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG’s global flight data platform.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) last-minute?
Holding off until right before your break to book a ticket from IAD to DSM generally means paying more. While you might find some last-minute deals, they’re not always guaranteed. Be flexible with your travel plans to maximize your chances of snagging a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book an IAD to DSM flight and hotel package?
Opting for an IAD to DSM flight and hotel package is usually cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the convenience of organizing your travels all in one place. Pick from our impressive range of stays and then add activities, car rentals and flights to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
You can usually reschedule or cancel your IAD to DSM flight. However, if it’s been more than 24 hours since booking, additional fees may apply. Check your airline’s policies in your itinerary to see what changes are possible and whether any costs are involved. You’ll also find further details on our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.