What percentage of Washington, D.C. to San Diego flights are direct?

Across the trailing quarter, approximately 3.9% of flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego were direct. This indicates that direct options are relatively uncommon for this route. For flights that include stopovers, the median number of stopovers observed was 2. Travelers should anticipate that most available options will involve at least one connection.

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

The direct flight time from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is typically 5 hours and 29 minutes, covering a distance of 3655 kilometers. For flights with one stop, the median duration extends to 10 hours and 40 minutes. This significant difference highlights the time-saving benefit of direct routes when available. Travelers should factor in these durations when planning their journey.

How often do Washington, D.C. to San Diego flight prices drop?

Historically, flight prices for the Washington, D.C. to San Diego route are classified as experiencing frequent drops. This suggests that price fluctuations are common, offering travelers multiple opportunities to find deals. Over a 30-day period, this route typically sees regular price adjustments. Travelers may benefit from monitoring prices consistently.

Flights From Washington, D.C.

To San Diego

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

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Deals from

Washington, D.C.

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Diego

Prices updated 7 days ago

482 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

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

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

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

2027-02-01 – 2027-02-23
WAS - San Diego
86% AI deal score
$255
$163
Round trip
2027-02-01 – 2027-03-02
WAS - San Diego
85% AI deal score
$255
$164
Round trip
2027-02-01 – 2027-03-01
WAS - San Diego
85% AI deal score
$255
$169
Round trip
2027-02-01 – 2027-02-03
WAS - San Diego
86% AI deal score
$279
$174
Round trip
2027-02-01 – 2027-02-03
WAS - San Diego
86% AI deal score
$282
$176
Round trip
2027-02-01 – 2027-03-02
WAS - San Diego
83% AI deal score
$257
$183
Round trip
2027-02-01 – 2027-02-23
WAS - San Diego
83% AI deal score
$258
$183
Round trip
2026-11-16 – 2026-11-25
WAS - San Diego
70% AI deal score
$194
$259
Round trip
2026-11-16 – 2026-11-21
WAS - San Diego
69% AI deal score
$275
$269
Round trip
2026-11-23 – 2026-11-25
WAS - San Diego
71% AI deal score
$296
$271
Round trip

Washington, D.C. to San Diego: Overview

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

A typical journey from Washington, D.C. to San Diego takes about 5h 29m, including connections. Given that most itineraries connect at least once, this median duration reflects the overall travel time for this route. For connecting flights specifically, the median journey time extends to 25h 9m, while non-stop flights, though rare, also take approximately 5h 29m.

For travelers seeking cheap flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego, prices typically range from $397–$720, with a median fare of $527. Right now, current fares are near the typical level for this route. Only 3% of recent fares were classified as a good price, indicating that finding significantly lower prices may require flexibility or advance planning. New deals appear almost daily, so setting up a price alert can help you track fare changes.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Diego? The data indicates that September is typically the most affordable month, with a median fare of $442. Following closely, October offers a median fare of $479, and November also presents competitive pricing with a median of $481.

Most itineraries for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego connect at least once, with only 3.9% of recent fares being non-stop. For the majority of flights that do include connections, the typical number of stopovers is 2. This means you should generally expect at least two stops when planning your trip.

The distance between Washington, D.C. and San Diego is approximately 3655 km, classifying this as a medium-haul route. This distance typically involves a flight duration that falls between short and long-haul categories, influencing the types of aircraft and service you might expect.

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

Regular price: $218 - $449

Prices are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is $218-$449. The current lowest deal is $163 with Frontier Airlines, valid for travel from Feb 1-Feb 23.

now $163

Low $218

High $449

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

The cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is September, with a median price of $443. The most expensive month is July, with a median price of $810. Prices are generally lower from March to November.

September

Cheapest

Flights from $443

July

Most Expensive

Flights from $810

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

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

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

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

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

BWI - San Diego

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

Southwest Airlines

$194

$259

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$292

$306

One-way

Wed, Nov 18

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$290

$312

One-way

Thu, Nov 19

⌛ Last-Minute

BWI - San Diego

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

United Airlines

$265

$268

One-way

Thu, Nov 19

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

JetBlue Airways

$287

$306

One-way

Fri, Nov 20

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$296

$279

One-way

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

6 nights

Dec 9 - Dec 15

$315 → $187

41%

4 nights

Dec 2 - Dec 6

$369 → $242

34%

3 nights

Dec 11 - Dec 14

$331 → $216

35%

2 nights

Feb 1 - Feb 3

$282 → $176

38%

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

Washington, D.C. - San Diego route insights

💸 Price insights

Fares near the typical level

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

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in September for lower prices

Historically, September, October, and November offer the lowest median prices.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 5h 29m

The typical direct flight from Washington, D.C. to San Diego takes 5h 29m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Only 3.9% of recent flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego are direct.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines offers a deal

A recent deal on Frontier Airlines was found for $163 from WAS to SAN.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are frequent on this route

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

Washington, D.C. main airports to depart from

Baltimore–Washington International (BWI)

Cheapest

Consider Baltimore–Washington International for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego, offering competitive pricing.

📍 ~44 km from Washington, D.C. city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$182

Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)

Ronald Reagan Washington National is a convenient option for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego.

📍 ~6 km from Washington, D.C. city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$204

Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Washington Dulles International is another choice for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego.

📍 ~36 km from Washington, D.C. city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$199

San Diego main airports to arrive at

San Diego International (SAN)

Cheapest

San Diego International is a convenient arrival airport for reaching San Diego and surrounding areas.

📍 ~3 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$209

Airports nearby San Diego used as alternative

Tijuana International (TIJ)

Tijuana International (TIJ) is a convenient alternative for travelers heading to Mexico, with direct US access.

📍 ~25 km from San Diego (reachable by Cross Border Xpress)

💸 Flights from ~$334

Business & First Class Flight Deals to San Diego

Discover luxury on the budget with premium cabin class on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego.

Elite

Best Elite deals to San Diego

Exclusive daily First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy flight deals, refreshed every 24 hours.

From IAD

Elite

Nov 25

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,413

$1,187

Save $1,226

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 25

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,450

$1,187

Save $1,263

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 25

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,409

$1,187

Save $1,222

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 25

San Diego, United States

91% AI deal score

$2,364

$1,187

Save $1,177

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 25

San Diego, United States

91% AI deal score

$2,364

$1,187

Save $1,177

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 01

San Diego, United States

89% AI deal score

$2,846

$1,677

Save $1,169

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 02

San Diego, United States

88% AI deal score

$2,850

$1,709

Save $1,141

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Dec 12

San Diego, United States

85% AI deal score

$1,526

$1,147

Save $379

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Dec 12

San Diego, United States

85% AI deal score

$1,581

$1,166

Save $415

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Dec 11

San Diego, United States

85% AI deal score

$1,575

$1,167

Save $408

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Dec 12

San Diego, United States

84% AI deal score

$1,492

$1,147

Save $345

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Dec 10

San Diego, United States

84% AI deal score

$1,534

$1,167

Save $367

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Diego

Historically, the optimal booking window for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is typically 28-59 days before departure. During this period, the average price for a ticket is around $627. Prices tend to increase significantly for last-minute bookings, with flights purchased 0-6 days out averaging $1463. Conversely, booking more than 60 days in advance also shows a slight increase in average price to $667, suggesting that the sweet spot for savings is within that 28-59 day window.

Across the trailing quarter, a flight from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is considered a good deal if it is priced at or below $397. This threshold represents the lowest 25% of prices observed over a 90-day period. The median price for this route was $527, with 75% of prices falling below $720. Therefore, aiming for a ticket under $397 typically secures a favorable price.

Historically, the cheapest months to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Diego are September, October, and November. In September, the median price was $442, followed by October at $479, and November at $481. These prices are generally lower than the annual median price of $527 for this route. Travelers looking for more economical options should consider planning their trips during these months.

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More routes from Washington, D.C.

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Flights to San Diego from other cities

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Washington, D.C. to San Diego: Overview

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

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

Regular price: $218 - $449

Prices are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is $218-$449. The current lowest deal is $163 with Frontier Airlines, valid for travel from Feb 1-Feb 23.

now $163

Low $218

High $449

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

September

Cheapest

Flights from $443

July

Most Expensive

Flights from $810

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

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

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

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

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

BWI - San Diego

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

Southwest Airlines

$194

$259

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$292

$306

One-way

Wed, Nov 18

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$290

$312

One-way

Thu, Nov 19

⌛ Last-Minute

BWI - San Diego

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

United Airlines

$265

$268

One-way

Thu, Nov 19

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

JetBlue Airways

$287

$306

One-way

Fri, Nov 20

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$296

$279

One-way

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

6 nights

Dec 9 - Dec 15

$315 → $187

41%

4 nights

Dec 2 - Dec 6

$369 → $242

34%

3 nights

Dec 11 - Dec 14

$331 → $216

35%

2 nights

Feb 1 - Feb 3

$282 → $176

38%

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

Washington, D.C. - San Diego route insights

💸 Price insights

Fares near the typical level

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

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in September for lower prices

Historically, September, October, and November offer the lowest median prices.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 5h 29m

The typical direct flight from Washington, D.C. to San Diego takes 5h 29m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Only 3.9% of recent flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego are direct.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines offers a deal

A recent deal on Frontier Airlines was found for $163 from WAS to SAN.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are frequent on this route

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

Washington, D.C. main airports to depart from

Baltimore–Washington International (BWI)

Cheapest

Consider Baltimore–Washington International for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego, offering competitive pricing.

📍 ~44 km from Washington, D.C. city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$182

Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)

Ronald Reagan Washington National is a convenient option for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego.

📍 ~6 km from Washington, D.C. city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$204

Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Washington Dulles International is another choice for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego.

📍 ~36 km from Washington, D.C. city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$199

San Diego main airports to arrive at

San Diego International (SAN)

Cheapest

San Diego International is a convenient arrival airport for reaching San Diego and surrounding areas.

📍 ~3 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$209

Airports nearby San Diego used as alternative

Tijuana International (TIJ)

Tijuana International (TIJ) is a convenient alternative for travelers heading to Mexico, with direct US access.

San Diego, United States

84% AI deal score

$1,534

$1,167

Save $367

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Diego

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

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

Washington, D.C. to San Diego: Overview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington, D.C. - San Diego route insights

Fares near the typical level

Fly in September for lower prices

Direct flights take 5h 29m

Connecting flights are dominant

Frontier Airlines offers a deal

Deals are frequent on this route

Washington, D.C. main airports to depart from

San Diego main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby San Diego used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to San Diego

Best Elite deals to San Diego

Nov 25

Nov 25

Nov 25

Nov 25

Nov 25

Nov 01

Nov 02

Dec 12

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 10

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Diego

When should I buy Washington, D.C. to San Diego tickets?

How do I know if a Washington, D.C. to San Diego flight is a good deal?

Which months have the cheapest flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego?

What percentage of Washington, D.C. to San Diego flights are direct?

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

How often do Washington, D.C. to San Diego flight prices drop?

Related routes

More routes from Washington, D.C.

Flights to San Diego from other cities

Washington, D.C. to San Diego: Overview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington, D.C. - San Diego route insights

Fares near the typical level

Fly in September for lower prices

Direct flights take 5h 29m

Connecting flights are dominant

Frontier Airlines offers a deal

Deals are frequent on this route

Washington, D.C. main airports to depart from

San Diego main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby San Diego used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to San Diego

Best Elite deals to San Diego

Nov 25

Nov 25

Nov 25

Nov 25

Nov 25

Nov 01

Nov 02

Dec 12

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 10

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Diego

When should I buy Washington, D.C. to San Diego tickets?

How do I know if a Washington, D.C. to San Diego flight is a good deal?

Which months have the cheapest flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego?