Are direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines always the best option?

Direct flights offer convenience by reducing travel time and avoiding layovers, but they are not always the most economical choice. Flights with one or more stops can sometimes be significantly cheaper. Consider your priorities for time versus cost when making your decision.

Can flexible travel dates help on Chicago to Des Moines flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can often lead to finding more affordable flights. Prices can vary significantly between different days of the week or even within the same week. Using a flexible date search tool can help you identify the cheapest days to fly.

What extra costs should I check before booking Chicago to Des Moines flights?

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees for checked or carry-on luggage, seat selection fees, and charges for in-flight amenities. Some airlines may also charge for printing boarding passes at the airport. These additional fees can impact the total cost of your trip.

Flights From Chicago

To Des Moines

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Browse current best options from Chicago. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

Chicago

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Des Moines

Prices updated today

402 airlines compared

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Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Jul 12, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to Des Moines

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Chicago to Des Moines

Round trip

Sort by: Cheapest

August 13 - August 27

Cheapest

RFD - Des Moines

$276

$238

Round trip

August 6 - August 10

ORD - Des Moines

$302

$242

Round trip

October 29 - November 1

Best

RFD - Des Moines

$337

$243

Round trip

August 13 - August 17

RFD - Des Moines

$328

$244

Round trip

September 13 - September 28

ORD - Des Moines

$239

$247

Round trip

August 12 - August 26

ORD - Des Moines

$128

$248

Round trip

August 4 - August 11

Earliest

ORD - Des Moines

$150

$248

Round trip

September 21 - September 28

MDW - Des Moines

$145

$248

Round trip

September 17 - September 21

ORD - Des Moines

$280

$250

Round trip

August 25 - August 26

ORD - Des Moines

$157

$253

Round trip

Unlock all 500+ flight deals to Des Moines and get alerts when great deals appear

Chicago to Des Moines: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Flights from Chicago to Des Moines cover a distance of 480 kilometers, classifying this as a short-haul route. This means you can expect a relatively quick journey between the two cities. Right now, if you are looking for cheap flights from Chicago to Des Moines, fares are below the typical level, with only 1% of recent fares classified as a good price. Prices for this route typically range from $137–$209, with a median of $165.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Des Moines? You'll find the most affordable fares in July, with a median price of $127. June also offers competitive pricing, with a median of $135, followed closely by September at a median of $137. These months present the best opportunities for securing lower-cost travel.

For travelers seeking direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines, you'll be pleased to know that almost all itineraries are non-stop, with a direct share of 89.8%. This high percentage of non-stop options ensures a more convenient and quicker journey. For the remaining itineraries that do include connections, they typically involve 3 stopovers.

How long is the flight from Chicago to Des Moines? A typical journey, including any connections, takes approximately 1h 32m. This median duration reflects the overall travel time you can expect for this route. New deals for this route show up several times a week, so it is worth monitoring prices if you are planning a trip.

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Des Moines

Regular price: $220 - $456

Prices for flights from Chicago to Des Moines are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for this route is between $220 and $456. The current lowest deal is $151 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Sep 10-Sep 14.

now $151

Low $220

High $456

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

The cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Des Moines is July, with a median price of $127. The most expensive month is February, with a median price of $395. Prices are generally lower from January to October.

July

Cheapest

Flights from $127

February

Most Expensive

Flights from $395

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines

American Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Des Moines

Wed, Jul 15

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Des Moines

Chicago (MDW) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$538

$450

One-way

Tue, Jul 21

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$308

One-way

Thu, Jul 23

⌛ Last-Minute

RFD - Des Moines

Chicago (RFD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Allegiant Air

$386

$388

One-way

Sat, Aug 1

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

United Airlines

$151

$281

One-way

Tue, Aug 4

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

American Airlines

$151

$208

One-way

Tue, Aug 4

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

United Airlines

$152

$279

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

3 nights

Oct 29 - Nov 1

$339 → $245

28%

4 nights

Aug 13 - Aug 17

$328 → $244

26%

4 nights

Aug 6 - Aug 10

$300 → $242

19%

4 nights

Jul 9 - Jul 13

$419 → $370

12%

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

Chicago - Des Moines route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares from Chicago to Des Moines are below the typical level, with deals around $151.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in July for the best prices

Historically, July offers the lowest median prices at $127 for flights from Chicago to Des Moines.

⏱️ Flight duration

Short-haul flights, typically 1h 32m

Flights from Chicago to Des Moines are short-haul, with a typical duration of 1 hour 32 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Direct flights are dominant

Direct flights are dominant on this route, making up 89.8% of all available deals.

🏆 Airline highlight

American Airlines offers direct flights

American Airlines is one carrier providing direct flight options from Chicago to Des Moines.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly

Deals for this route appear regularly, with an average of 0.23 deals per day.

Chicago main airports to depart from

O Hare International (ORD)

Cheapest

Fly from O'Hare International for a potentially cheaper option to Des Moines.

📍 ~25 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$196

Chicago Midway International (MDW)

Consider Chicago Midway International for flights to Des Moines.

📍 ~15 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$253

Chicago Rockford International (RFD)

Chicago Rockford International offers another departure choice for your trip to Des Moines.

📍 ~120 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$252

Des Moines main airports to arrive at

Des Moines International (DSM)

Cheapest

Des Moines International Airport is a good choice for direct access to Des Moines.

📍 ~8 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$196

Airports nearby Des Moines used as alternative

Eppley Airfield (OMA)

Consider Eppley Airfield for significantly more flight options and carriers, including Business and First Class.

📍 ~170 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$216

The Eastern Iowa (CID)

Cheapest

The Eastern Iowa offers a substantial regional alternative with diverse airlines and competitive pricing.

📍 ~180 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$187

Waterloo Regional (ALO)

Waterloo Regional is a closer option with quick security, though it has limited flight schedules and destinations.

📍 ~150 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$203

Fort Dodge Regional (FOD)

Fort Dodge Regional is the geographically closest alternative, providing a low-stress environment with minimal crowds.

📍 ~110 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$197

Sioux Gateway (SUX)

Sioux Gateway can be an alternative regional gateway for western Iowa travelers, sometimes offering lower fares.

📍 ~240 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$225

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Des Moines

44% AI deal score

$483

From ORD

Elite

Aug 18

Des Moines, United States

44% AI deal score

$483

From ORD

Elite

Jul 14

Des Moines, United States

44% AI deal score

Des Moines, United States

32% AI deal score

$1,263

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Des Moines

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Comparing prices across different airlines and booking sites can often reveal better deals. Looking into flights with layovers may also present cheaper options than direct routes.

Booking flights in advance, often several weeks or months before your intended departure, can sometimes lead to lower prices. However, prices can fluctuate, so monitoring fares over time may help you identify a good booking window. Weekday travel can sometimes be more economical than weekend travel.

Comparing nearby airports for both your origin and destination can sometimes uncover more affordable flight options. While it may add to your ground transportation time, the savings on airfare can occasionally be significant. Always factor in the total cost and convenience when considering this approach.

Related routes

Consider alternative routes from Chicago

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Cheap Flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to Des Moines

Unlock all 500+ flight deals to Des Moines and get alerts when great deals appear

Chicago to Des Moines: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Des Moines

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

Direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Des Moines

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

Chicago - Des Moines route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Fly in July for the best prices

Short-haul flights, typically 1h 32m

Direct flights are dominant

American Airlines offers direct flights

Deals appear regularly

Chicago main airports to depart from

Des Moines main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Des Moines used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Des Moines

Best Elite deals to Des Moines

Aug 15

Jul 10

Aug 17

Aug 18

Jul 14

Jul 27

Jul 22

Jul 22

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Jun 17

Jul 07

Jul 28

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Sep 18

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Jul 02

Sep 25

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Des Moines

How can I find cheap flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

How can I find cheap flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

When should I book flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

When should I book flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

Are direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines always the best option?

Are direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines always the best option?

Can flexible travel dates help on Chicago to Des Moines flights?

Can flexible travel dates help on Chicago to Des Moines flights?

What extra costs should I check before booking Chicago to Des Moines flights?

What extra costs should I check before booking Chicago to Des Moines flights?

Related routes

Consider alternative routes from Chicago