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DCA to DSM: distance & flight time
Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) → Des Moines (Des Moines International Airport)
895 mi
1,441 km · 778 nm
2h 25m
estimated nonstop flight time
-1h
time difference · heading west
See live DCA→DSM fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
895 miles nonstop takes roughly 2h 25m gate to gate, flying west. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 1-hour time set-back when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- DCA — Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport · Washington, United States
- DSM — Des Moines International Airport · Des Moines, United States
Distances are great-circle ("as the crow flies") — the same basis airlines use for frequent-flyer miles.
Alternate airports can cut this fare
Flying from or into a nearby airport is the #1 trick our agents use to beat online prices. Call and we'll compare every combination on one call.
Near DCA
Near DSM
- OTM · Ottumwa Regional Airport70 mi away
- FOD · Fort Dodge Regional Airport75 mi away
- ALO · Waterloo Regional Airport96 mi away
- CID · The Eastern Iowa Airport104 mi away
Frequently asked questions
How far is DCA from DSM?
The flight distance from Washington (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM) is 895 miles (1,441 km, 778 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from DCA to DSM?
A nonstop flight takes about 2h 25m gate to gate. Actual time varies with winds, routing and season — eastbound transatlantic flights, for example, are usually faster than the return.
What is the time difference between Washington and Des Moines?
Des Moines is 1 hour behind Washington.
What is the cheapest way to fly from DCA to DSM?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on DCA–DSM that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.