Can I fly direct from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

Direct flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. are available, historically accounting for approximately 16.9% of all flights on this route across the trailing 90 days. For flights that include one or more stops, travelers typically experience a single stopover. The majority of flights on this route involve at least one connection.

How long does it take to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

A direct flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C. typically has a median duration of 5 hours and 11 minutes. This non-stop journey covers a distance of 3618 kilometers. For flights that include one stop, the median travel time increases to approximately 7 hours and 53 minutes. Travelers should account for these differences in duration when planning their trip.

Should I set a price alert for San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights?

Historically, flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. are classified as a frequent deal route. This means that price fluctuations and deals occur regularly across the trailing 30 days. Setting a price alert can be beneficial for travelers looking to secure a favorable fare. Given the frequent nature of deals, an alert can help identify opportune moments to book.

Flights From San Diego

To Washington, D.C.

Cheap Flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

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Deals from

San Diego

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Washington, D.C.

Prices updated 2 days ago

405 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Jul 26, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Explore current cheapest deals departing from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

2026-09-01 – 2026-09-22
SAN - Washington, D.C.
90% AI deal score
$250
$166
Round trip
2026-09-21 – 2026-09-29
SAN - Washington, D.C.
91% AI deal score
$282
$166
Round trip
2026-09-22 – 2026-09-30
SAN - Washington, D.C.
91% AI deal score
$282
$166
Round trip
2026-09-15 – 2026-09-23
SAN - Washington, D.C.
91% AI deal score
$280
$166
Round trip
2026-09-16 – 2026-09-23
SAN - Washington, D.C.
92% AI deal score
$291
$166
Round trip
2026-10-06 – 2026-10-14
SAN - Washington, D.C.
91% AI deal score
$269
$166
Round trip
2026-10-01 – 2026-10-06
SAN - Washington, D.C.
92% AI deal score
$288
$166
Round trip
2026-10-13 – 2026-10-21
SAN - Washington, D.C.
91% AI deal score
$274
$166
Round trip
2026-08-12 – 2026-08-31
SAN - Washington, D.C.
87% AI deal score
$291
$173
Round trip
2026-08-12 – 2026-08-27
SAN - Washington, D.C.
87% AI deal score
$297
$173
Round trip

San Diego to Washington, D.C.: Overview

Insights for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

For travelers looking for cheap flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C., the most affordable time to fly is often April, with a median fare of $243. Other budget-friendly options include January, where the median fare is $259, and March, with a median of $271. Planning your trip during these months can help secure more favorable prices.

Fares for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. typically range from $306–$515, with a median price of $389. Right now, current fares are above the typical level for this route. Only 4% of recent fares were classified as a good price, indicating that finding a particularly low fare may require some flexibility or advance planning. New deals appear almost daily, offering frequent opportunities to find better prices.

Most itineraries for this route are not direct flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. Only 16.9% of recent fares were for non-stop journeys, meaning that most itineraries connect at least once. When connecting, the typical number of stopovers is one, which can add to the overall travel time.

A typical journey from San Diego to Washington, D.C. takes about 9h 36m, including connections. This duration accounts for the fact that most itineraries involve at least one stopover, extending the total time spent traveling between the two cities. The route covers a distance of 3655 kilometers, classifying it as a medium-haul flight.

How much is a round trip from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Regular price: $232 - $633

Prices are currently below the regular range for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

The regular price range for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. is typically between $232 and $633. The current lowest deal is $165 with Alaska Airlines, Inc. for travel from Oct 6-Oct 14.

now $165

Low $232

High $633

The cheapest time to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

The cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Washington is April, with a median price of $243. The most expensive month is November, with a median price of $490. Generally, prices are lower from January to December.

April

Cheapest

Flights from $243

November

Most Expensive

Flights from $490

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Last-minute flights going from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Wed, Aug 12

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (IAD)

Frontier Airlines

$371

$211

One-way

Tue, Aug 18

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (DCA)

Frontier Airlines

$412

$237

One-way

Wed, Aug 19

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (BWI)

Frontier Airlines

$349

$214

One-way

Wed, Aug 19

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (BWI)

Frontier Airlines

$312

$222

One-way

Mon, Aug 24

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (DCA)

Frontier Airlines

$381

$235

One-way

Wed, Aug 26

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (BWI)

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

$357

$181

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

4 nights

Aug 27 - Aug 31

$365 → $181

50%

3 nights

Sep 5 - Sep 8

$407 → $227

44%

2 nights

Aug 26 - Aug 28

$370 → $191

48%

5 nights

Aug 26 - Aug 31

$357 → $181

49%

Popular Airports to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

San Diego - Washington, D.C. route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares from San Diego to Washington, D.C. are above the typical level.

📅 Best time to fly

April is historically the cheapest month to fly

Historically, April is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C., with a median price of $243.

⏱️ Flight duration

Flights are typically 9h 36m with 1 stopover

Flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. typically take 9h 36m with 1 stopover.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are more common

Connecting flights are more common, making up 83.1% of flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

🏆 Airline highlight

Alaska Airlines, Inc. offers direct flights

Alaska Airlines, Inc. offers direct flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are frequent on this route

Deals on flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. are frequent.

San Diego main airports to depart from

San Diego International (SAN)

Cheapest

San Diego International Airport offers the cheapest flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

📍 ~5 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$161

Washington, D.C. main airports to arrive at

Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Cheapest

Washington Dulles International is a good option for flights to Washington, D.C. from San Diego.

📍 ~40 km from Washington, D.C. city center

💸 Flights from ~$161

Airports nearby Washington, D.C. used as alternative

Philadelphia International (PHL)

Cheapest

Philadelphia International is a major international hub with extensive connectivity, often serving as a viable alternative.

📍 ~200 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by high-speed Amtrak rail service)

💸 Flights from ~$208

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Washington, D.C.

88% AI deal score

$1,786

$1,158

Save $628

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Washington, D.C.

Historically, the optimal booking window for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. is typically between 28 and 59 days prior to departure. During this period, the average price for a ticket has been observed at approximately $290. In contrast, purchasing tickets within 0-6 days of departure typically sees prices rise significantly, averaging around $692. Even booking more than 60 days out can result in higher average fares, at about $466.

Across the trailing quarter, a good price for a flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C. is considered to be $306 or less. Historically, about 25% of all observed fares for this route were at or below this amount. The median price for this route has been $389, while prices reaching $515 or more represent the higher end of the fare spectrum.

Historically, April has been the most affordable month to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C., with a median price of $243. January also offers competitive fares, with a median price of $259. While March is listed as the most expensive month in the trailing 270 days, its median price of $271 is still considerably lower than the annual median of $389 for this route.

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Flights to Washington, D.C. from other cities

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San Diego to Washington, D.C.: Overview

Insights for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

How much is a round trip from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Regular price: $232 - $633

Prices are currently below the regular range for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

The regular price range for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. is typically between $232 and $633. The current lowest deal is $165 with Alaska Airlines, Inc. for travel from Oct 6-Oct 14.

now $165

Low $232

High $633

The cheapest time to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

April

Cheapest

Flights from $243

November

Most Expensive

Flights from $490

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Last-minute flights going from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Wed, Aug 12

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (IAD)

Frontier Airlines

$371

$211

One-way

Tue, Aug 18

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (DCA)

Frontier Airlines

$412

$237

One-way

Wed, Aug 19

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (BWI)

Frontier Airlines

$349

$214

One-way

Wed, Aug 19

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (BWI)

Frontier Airlines

$312

$222

One-way

Mon, Aug 24

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (DCA)

Frontier Airlines

$381

$235

One-way

Wed, Aug 26

⌛ Last-Minute

SAN - Washington, D.C.

San Diego (SAN) - Washington, D.C. (BWI)

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

$357

$181

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

4 nights

Aug 27 - Aug 31

$365 → $181

50%

3 nights

Sep 5 - Sep 8

$407 → $227

44%

2 nights

Aug 26 - Aug 28

$370 → $191

48%

5 nights

Aug 26 - Aug 31

$357 → $181

49%

Popular Airports to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C.