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RDU to DSM: distance & flight time
Raleigh-durham (Raleigh Durham International Airport) → Des Moines (Des Moines International Airport)
891 mi
1,433 km · 774 nm
2h 24m
estimated nonstop flight time
-1h
time difference · heading northwest
See live RDU→DSM fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
891 miles nonstop takes roughly 2h 24m 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
- RDU — Raleigh Durham International Airport · Raleigh-durham, 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 RDU
- POB · Pope Field50 mi away
- RWI · Rocky Mount Wilson Regional Airport50 mi away
- FBG · Simmons Army Air Field52 mi away
- SOP · Moore County Airport56 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 RDU from DSM?
The flight distance from Raleigh-durham (RDU) to Des Moines (DSM) is 891 miles (1,433 km, 774 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from RDU to DSM?
A nonstop flight takes about 2h 24m 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 Raleigh-durham and Des Moines?
Des Moines is 1 hour behind Raleigh-durham.
What is the cheapest way to fly from RDU to DSM?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on RDU–DSM that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.