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GVL to DSM: distance & flight time
Gainesville (Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport) → Des Moines (Des Moines International Airport)
733 mi
1,180 km · 637 nm
2h 4m
estimated nonstop flight time
-1h
time difference · heading northwest
See live GVL→DSM fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
733 miles nonstop takes roughly 2h 4m gate to gate, flying northwest. 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
- GVL — Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport · Gainesville, 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 GVL
- ATL · Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport56 mi away
- LZU · Gwinnett County Briscoe Field22 mi away
- WDR · Barrow County Airport22 mi away
- AHN · Athens Ben Epps Airport36 mi away
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 GVL from DSM?
The flight distance from Gainesville (GVL) to Des Moines (DSM) is 733 miles (1,180 km, 637 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from GVL to DSM?
A nonstop flight takes about 2h 4m gate to gate. Actual time varies with winds, routing and season — eastbound transatlantic flights, for example, are usually faster than the return.
Are there nonstop flights from GVL to DSM?
Nonstop service on GVL–DSM depends on the season and the day of week. Run the fare search on this page with the nonstop filter applied to see current direct options; when there is no nonstop, a single connection through a carrier hub adds roughly 2–4 hours to the 2h 4m nonstop estimate.
What is the time difference between Gainesville and Des Moines?
Des Moines is 1 hour behind Gainesville.
What is the cheapest way to fly from GVL to DSM?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on GVL–DSM that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.
Why are some GVL to DSM fares phone-only?
Consolidator contracts let us sell certain GVL–DSM tickets below the price airlines permit us to publish online, so those fares can only be quoted over the phone. Call the travel desk and an agent will check phone-only inventory for your dates.