$136 Cheap Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Des Moines (DSM)

View $136 flight on Tue, May 20, 2025Opens in a new window
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Cheap Flights from Raleigh to Des Moines (RDU-DSM)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $136 for one-way flights and $228 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
Thu, May 29 - Fri, Jun 6
RDU
Raleigh
DSM
Des Moines
$228 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$228
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, May 29 from Raleigh to Des Moines, returning Fri, Jun 6, priced at $228 found 1 day ago
Frontier Airlines
Sun, May 25 - Fri, May 30
RDU
Raleigh
DSM
Des Moines
$240 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$240
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Sun, May 25 from Raleigh to Des Moines, returning Fri, May 30, priced at $240 found 2 days ago
Frontier Airlines
Sun, Jun 1 - Fri, Jun 6
RDU
Raleigh
DSM
Des Moines
$248 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$248
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Sun, Jun 1 from Raleigh to Des Moines, returning Fri, Jun 6, priced at $248 found 1 day ago
Frontier Airlines
Sun, May 25 - Fri, Jun 6
RDU
Raleigh
DSM
Des Moines
$260 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$260
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Sun, May 25 from Raleigh to Des Moines, returning Fri, Jun 6, priced at $260 found 2 days ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, May 22 - Fri, May 30
RDU
Raleigh
DSM
Des Moines
$270 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$270
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, May 22 from Raleigh to Des Moines, returning Fri, May 30, priced at $270 found 2 days ago
Southwest Airlines
Sat, Aug 30 - Sun, Sep 7
RDU
Raleigh
DSM
Des Moines
$271 Roundtrip, found 7 hours ago
$271
Roundtrip
found 7 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Sat, Aug 30 from Raleigh to Des Moines, returning Sun, Sep 7, priced at $271 found 7 hours ago
United
Wed, May 14 - Wed, May 21
RDU
Raleigh
DSM
Des Moines
$271 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$271
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select United flight, departing Wed, May 14 from Raleigh to Des Moines, returning Wed, May 21, priced at $271 found 1 day ago
Delta
Wed, Jul 2 - Sat, Jul 5
RDU
Raleigh
DSM
Des Moines
$271 Roundtrip, found 6 hours ago
$271
Roundtrip
found 6 hours ago
Select Delta flight, departing Wed, Jul 2 from Raleigh to Des Moines, returning Sat, Jul 5, priced at $271 found 6 hours ago
American Airlines
Sat, Aug 30 - Sun, Sep 7
RDU
Raleigh
DSM
Des Moines
$271 Roundtrip, found 7 hours ago
$271
Roundtrip
found 7 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Sat, Aug 30 from Raleigh to Des Moines, returning Sun, Sep 7, priced at $271 found 7 hours ago
United
Sat, Aug 30 - Sun, Sep 7
RDU
Raleigh
DSM
Des Moines
$276 Roundtrip, found 7 hours ago
$276
Roundtrip
found 7 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Sat, Aug 30 from Raleigh to Des Moines, returning Sun, Sep 7, priced at $276 found 7 hours ago
Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Des Moines (DSM)
Origin airport
Raleigh - Durham Intl.
Destination airport
Des Moines Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$228
Distance
889 mi

Raleigh to Des Moines Flights

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

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Des Moines in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $136 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) cost?
Discover the latest flight deals from RDU 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 RDU to DSM?
The cheapest flights from RDU 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.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from RDU to DSM?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that’ll take you from RDU to DSM. Sort your results by “Price (lowest to highest)” to snap up a great deal.
How many flights per day from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
You’ll have to take a flight with a layover if you’re traveling from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). Direct flights don’t operate daily on this route. However, simply filter your search to include one or two stops to find the best option for your trip.
What day of the week has the most flights from RDU to DSM?
Typically you’ll find the largest variety of flight choices on a Friday. Tuesdays are often the quietest.* However, this can change depending on the season, carrier and other factors.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
To arrive at Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) on schedule, choose a flight that takes off from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this time.**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 Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) last-minute?
Booking your flight from RDU to DSM just before your trip is typically more expensive. But if there’s some wiggle room with your travel times and dates, you could land a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a RDU to DSM flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging hotels and flights separately, booking a RDU to DSM flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. What’s more, having everything in one easy place will take the stress out of planning your trip. Just secure your flights and choose from our wide range of hotels, then personalize your trip with extras like activities and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
In most instances, you can cancel or reschedule your RDU to DSM flight. However, additional charges may apply, especially if you made your booking over 24 hours ago. Check your itinerary for the airline’s fees and rules on flight changes, or if you need further information, go to our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.