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

Direct flights offer convenience by minimizing travel time and avoiding layovers. However, they are not always the cheapest option. Flights with connections may sometimes be more affordable, especially if you are willing to spend extra time traveling.

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

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can often lead to finding cheaper flights. Prices can vary significantly between different days of the week or even specific weeks. Adjusting your departure or return by a day or two may result in notable savings.

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, seat selection charges, and in-flight services. Some airlines may also charge for printing boarding passes at the airport. Factor these into your total travel budget to avoid surprises.

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 1 day ago

461 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Sep 14, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to Des Moines

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Chicago to Des Moines

2026-10-22 – 2026-10-29
CHI - Des Moines
40% AI deal score
$135
$236
Round trip
2026-10-13 – 2026-10-14
CHI - Des Moines
38% AI deal score
$147
$236
Round trip
2026-11-07 – 2026-11-11
CHI - Des Moines
41% AI deal score
$139
$236
Round trip
2027-02-06 – 2027-02-13
CHI - Des Moines
40% AI deal score
$127
$236
Round trip
2026-10-09 – 2026-10-13
CHI - Des Moines
38% AI deal score
$147
$246
Round trip
2026-10-09 – 2026-10-12
CHI - Des Moines
39% AI deal score
$143
$246
Round trip
2026-10-24 – 2026-10-31
CHI - Des Moines
46% AI deal score
$262
$255
Round trip
2026-10-09 – 2026-10-23
CHI - Des Moines
38% AI deal score
$120
$256
Round trip
2026-11-13 – 2026-11-27
CHI - Des Moines
40% AI deal score
$122
$256
Round trip
2026-12-11 – 2026-12-25
CHI - Des Moines
41% AI deal score
$136
$256
Round trip

Chicago to Des Moines: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

The journey from Chicago to Des Moines covers a distance of 480 kilometers, classifying it as a short-haul flight. This route is well-served, with new deals showing up several times a week, making it relatively easy to find cheap flights from Chicago to Des Moines.

Right now, fares for this route are below the typical level. Prices for flights from Chicago to Des Moines typically range from $159 to $209, with a median of $165. Currently, only 1% of recent fares are classified as a good price.

If you are looking for the cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Des Moines, the data indicates that July is typically the most affordable month, with a median fare of $127. Following closely are June, with a median fare of $135, and September, where the median fare is $137.

When flying from Chicago to Des Moines, almost all itineraries are non-stop, with direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines making up 90% of recent fares. For the remaining itineraries that do include connections, the typical number of stopovers is 2.

The typical journey time for flights from Chicago to Des Moines, including any connections, is approximately 1h 32m. This duration reflects the prevalence of direct flights on this short-haul route, ensuring a relatively quick travel experience.

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Des Moines

Regular price: $213 - $383

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

The regular price range for this route is $213 to $383. The current lowest deal is $214 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Oct 24-Oct 29.

now $214

Low $213

High $383

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

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Des Moines

Thu, Sep 17

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$389

$440

One-way

Fri, Sep 18

⌛ Last-Minute

RFD - Des Moines

Chicago (RFD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Allegiant Air

$516

$534

One-way

Sat, Sep 19

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$358

$350

One-way

Sat, Sep 19

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$364

$405

One-way

Sat, Sep 19

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

United Airlines

$170

$438

One-way

Thu, Sep 24

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$333

$352

One-way

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

2 nights

Sep 18 - Sep 20

$480 → $355

26%

4 nights

Sep 14 - Sep 18

$491 → $380

23%

4 nights

Sep 16 - Sep 20

$471 → $366

22%

3 nights

Oct 1 - Oct 4

$289 → $270

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 $159.

📅 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

Direct flights take 1h 32m

The typical direct flight from Chicago to Des Moines is 1 hour and 32 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Direct flights are dominant

About 90% of recent flights from Chicago to Des Moines are direct.

🏆 Airline highlight

United Airlines offers direct flights

United Airlines is one carrier with direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly

Deals for flights from Chicago to Des Moines appear regularly, so check often.

Chicago main airports to depart from

O Hare International (ORD)

Cheapest

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

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

💸 Flights from ~$189

Chicago Midway International (MDW)

Consider Chicago Midway International for your flight to Des Moines.

📍 ~14 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$236

Chicago Rockford International (RFD)

Chicago Rockford International offers another departure point for flights to Des Moines.

📍 ~126 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$324

Des Moines main airports to arrive at

Des Moines International (DSM)

Cheapest

Des Moines International Airport is a convenient arrival point for travelers heading to Des Moines.

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

💸 Flights from ~$210

Airports nearby Des Moines used as alternative

Eppley Airfield (OMA)

Eppley Airfield is a major regional hub offering higher flight frequency and diverse cabin classes.

📍 ~190 km from Des Moines (approximately a 2-hour drive, requires crossing state lines)

💸 Flights from ~$219

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Des Moines

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Oct 14

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$476

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Oct 12

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$493

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Nov 17

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$543

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Oct 18

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$546

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Oct 15

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$546

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Oct 08

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$560

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Dec 25

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$564

United Airlines

Business Class

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 also help you identify better deals. Sometimes, flying on weekdays or during off-peak hours may offer lower fares.

Booking flights in advance often provides more options and potentially better prices. However, last-minute deals can sometimes appear, though they are less common. Monitoring price trends and booking when you see a favorable fare is usually a good strategy.

Comparing nearby airports can sometimes uncover different flight options or prices. While it may add to your ground travel time, the potential savings on airfare could be worthwhile. Always consider the total cost and convenience when evaluating this option.

Chicago to Des Moines: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Des Moines

Regular price: $213 - $383

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

The regular price range for this route is $213 to $383. The current lowest deal is $214 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Oct 24-Oct 29.

now $214

Low $213

High $383

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

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

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Des Moines

Thu, Sep 17

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$389

$440

One-way

Fri, Sep 18

⌛ Last-Minute

RFD - Des Moines

Chicago (RFD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Allegiant Air

$516

$534

One-way

Sat, Sep 19

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$358

$350

One-way

Sat, Sep 19

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$364

$405

One-way

Sat, Sep 19

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

United Airlines

$170

$438

One-way

Thu, Sep 24

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$333

$352

One-way

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

2 nights

Sep 18 - Sep 20

$480 → $355

26%

4 nights

Sep 14 - Sep 18

$491 → $380

23%

4 nights

Sep 16 - Sep 20

$471 → $366

22%

3 nights

Oct 1 - Oct 4

$289 → $270

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 $159.

📅 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

Direct flights take 1h 32m

The typical direct flight from Chicago to Des Moines is 1 hour and 32 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Direct flights are dominant

About 90% of recent flights from Chicago to Des Moines are direct.

🏆 Airline highlight

United Airlines offers direct flights

United Airlines is one carrier with direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly

Deals for flights from Chicago to Des Moines appear regularly, so check often.

Chicago main airports to depart from

O Hare International (ORD)

Cheapest

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

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

💸 Flights from ~$189

Chicago Midway International (MDW)

Consider Chicago Midway International for your flight to Des Moines.

📍 ~14 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$236

Chicago Rockford International (RFD)

Chicago Rockford International offers another departure point for flights to Des Moines.

📍 ~126 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$324

Des Moines main airports to arrive at

Des Moines International (DSM)

Cheapest

Des Moines International Airport is a convenient arrival point for travelers heading to Des Moines.

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

💸 Flights from ~$210

Airports nearby Des Moines used as alternative

Eppley Airfield (OMA)

Eppley Airfield is a major regional hub offering higher flight frequency and diverse cabin classes.

Des Moines, United States

44% AI deal score

$529

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Oct 14

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$476

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Oct 12

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$493

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Nov 17

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$543

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Oct 18

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$546

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Oct 15

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$546

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Oct 08

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$560

United Airlines

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Dec 25

Des Moines, United States

43% AI deal score

$564

United Airlines

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Des Moines

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to Des Moines

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

Direct flights take 1h 32m

Direct flights are dominant

United 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

Oct 22

Oct 17

Oct 12

Oct 09

Oct 18

Oct 14

Oct 12

Nov 17

Oct 18

Oct 15

Oct 08

Dec 25

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Des Moines

How can I find cheap 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?

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

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

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

Related routes

More routes from Chicago

Flights to Des Moines from other cities

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

Direct flights take 1h 32m

Direct flights are dominant

United 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

Oct 22

Oct 17

Oct 12

Oct 09

Oct 18

Oct 14

Oct 12

Nov 17

Oct 18

Oct 15

Oct 08

Dec 25

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Des Moines

How can I find cheap 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?