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UGN to DSM: distance & flight time
Chicago (Waukegan National Airport) → Des Moines (Des Moines International Airport)
304 mi
489 km · 264 nm
1h 16m
estimated nonstop flight time
Same time
time difference · heading west
See live UGN→DSM fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
304 miles nonstop takes roughly 1h 16m gate to gate, flying west. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Both airports share the same local time, so schedules read exactly as flown.
The two airports
- UGN — Waukegan National Airport · Chicago, 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 UGN
- ORD · Chicago O'Hare International Airport31 mi away
- ENW · Kenosha Regional Airport12 mi away
- PWK · Chicago Executive Airport21 mi away
- RAC · John H Batten Airport24 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 UGN from DSM?
The flight distance from Chicago (UGN) to Des Moines (DSM) is 304 miles (489 km, 264 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from UGN to DSM?
A nonstop flight takes about 1h 16m 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 UGN to DSM?
Nonstop service on UGN–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 1h 16m nonstop estimate.
What is the cheapest way to fly from UGN to DSM?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on UGN–DSM that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.
Why are some UGN to DSM fares phone-only?
Consolidator contracts let us sell certain UGN–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.