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

In the trailing 90 days, approximately 25.1% of flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego were direct. For travelers who opt for connecting flights, the median number of stopovers observed was 2. This indicates that a significant portion of flights on this route involve at least one stop, with a majority having two stopovers when not flying direct.

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

The typical direct flight from Washington, D.C. to San Diego has a median duration of 5 hours and 40 minutes. For flights with one stop, the median travel time is considerably longer, averaging 8 hours and 11 minutes. This route covers an approximate distance of 3618 kilometers. Travelers should factor in the additional time when considering flights with layovers.

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

Historically, flight prices for the Washington, D.C. to San Diego route tend to drop frequently. This suggests that travelers may often find opportunities for price reductions. The route is characterized by consistent price fluctuations, offering various chances to secure a deal across the trailing 30 days.

Flights From Washington, D.C.

To San Diego

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

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Washington, D.C.

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Prices updated 5 days ago

458 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 7, 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

2026-11-02 – 2026-11-10
WAS - San Diego
73% AI deal score
$261
$229
Round trip
2026-11-02 – 2026-11-17
WAS - San Diego
71% AI deal score
$246
$231
Round trip
2026-11-02 – 2026-11-18
WAS - San Diego
71% AI deal score
$246
$232
Round trip
2026-09-15 – 2026-09-23
WAS - San Diego
72% AI deal score
$257
$235
Round trip
2026-11-10 – 2026-11-17
WAS - San Diego
73% AI deal score
$270
$236
Round trip
2026-11-10 – 2026-11-18
WAS - San Diego
72% AI deal score
$261
$238
Round trip
2026-09-12 – 2026-09-15
WAS - San Diego
74% AI deal score
$313
$260
Round trip
2026-11-07 – 2026-11-10
WAS - San Diego
71% AI deal score
$286
$260
Round trip
2026-09-23 – 2026-09-26
WAS - San Diego
71% AI deal score
$284
$261
Round trip
2026-09-15 – 2026-09-21
WAS - San Diego
70% AI deal score
$269
$261
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 12h 55m including connections. This is a medium-haul route, covering a distance of 3618 kilometers. Most itineraries for this route involve at least one stopover, making the total travel time longer than a direct flight.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Diego? The data indicates that February is typically the most affordable month, with a median fare of $214. January also offers competitive prices, with a median fare of $228. Travelers can also find more budget-friendly options in May, where the median fare is $317.

Fares for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego typically range from $327–$555, with a median of $402. Right now, fares are above the typical level for this route. Only 2% of recent fares were classified as a good price, suggesting that finding a low fare can be challenging. New deals appear almost daily, so setting up a price alert could be beneficial for securing a better price.

Most itineraries for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego connect at least once, with only 25.1% of recent fares being non-stop. For the majority of itineraries that involve connections, the typical number of stopovers is 2. This means that if you fly from Washington, D.C. to San Diego, you should generally expect a journey that includes at least one intermediate stop.

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

Regular price: $251 - $421

Prices are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is $251 to $421. The current lowest deal is $215 with Alaska Airlines, Inc. for travel from Oct 20-Oct 23.

now $215

Low $251

High $421

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 February, with a median price of $214. The most expensive month is November, with a median price of $483. Prices are generally lower from January to December.

February

Cheapest

Flights from $214

November

Most Expensive

Flights from $483

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

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

Tue, Sep 1

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$504

$427

One-way

Wed, Sep 2

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$483

$426

One-way

Thu, Sep 3

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$486

$430

One-way

Fri, Sep 4

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$487

$437

One-way

Tue, Sep 15

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$327

$274

One-way

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$289

$275

One-way

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

7 nights

Mar 17 - Mar 24

$519 → $430

17%

6 nights

Mar 17 - Mar 23

$518 → $430

17%

5 nights

Mar 10 - Mar 15

$468 → $383

18%

14 nights

Mar 9 - Mar 23

$472 → $387

18%

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

Washington, D.C. - San Diego route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares for Washington, D.C. to San Diego are above the typical level at $402.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in February for the best prices

Historically, February offers the lowest median price at $214 for this route.

⏱️ Flight duration

Median flight time is 12h 55m

The median flight duration from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is 12 hours 55 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Only 25.1% of flights are direct, with connecting flights typically having 2 stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

Alaska Airlines, Inc. offers direct deals

Alaska Airlines, Inc. has offered direct deals on this route in the last 90 days.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently

Deals for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego appear frequently.

Washington, D.C. main airports to depart from

Baltimore–Washington International (BWI)

Cheapest

Consider Baltimore–Washington International for potentially cheaper flights from the Washington, D.C. area to San Diego.

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

💸 Flights from ~$216

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. (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$276

Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Washington Dulles International offers another departure choice for your trip from Washington, D.C. to San Diego.

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

💸 Flights from ~$276

San Diego main airports to arrive at

San Diego International (SAN)

Cheapest

San Diego International Airport is a convenient arrival choice for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego.

📍 ~3 km from San Diego (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$216

Airports nearby San Diego used as alternative

Tijuana International (TIJ)

Tijuana International is a useful alternative for Mexico-bound travelers due to its direct access via CBX.

📍 ~25 km from San Diego (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$460

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 03

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,484

$1,164

Save $1,320

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 04

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,523

$1,164

Save $1,359

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 04

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,434

$1,164

Save $1,270

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 17

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,536

$1,164

Save $1,372

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 10

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,440

$1,164

Save $1,276

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 14

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,505

$1,164

Save $1,341

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 03

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,436

$1,164

Save $1,272

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 18

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,550

$1,166

Save $1,384

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 19

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,588

$1,169

Save $1,419

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 21

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,599

$1,187

Save $1,412

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 09

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,555

$1,204

Save $1,351

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Nov 08

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,555

$1,204

Save $1,351

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 between 28 and 59 days before departure. During this period, the average price observed was $381. Prices tend to increase significantly for bookings made closer to the departure date, with flights booked 0-6 days out averaging around $979. Conversely, booking more than 60 days in advance also shows a higher average price of $523, suggesting that waiting until the ideal window can lead to better value.

Across the trailing quarter, a good deal for a flight from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is considered to be $327 or less. This threshold represents the 25th percentile of prices observed over a 90-day period. The median price for this route was $402, while prices at the 75th percentile reached $555. Therefore, if you find a fare at or below $327, it is historically a favorable price.

Historically, the cheapest months to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Diego are February and January. February typically sees a median price of $214, while January's median price is around $228. May also offers relatively lower prices with a median of $317. These months present opportunities for savings compared to the annual median price of $402 for this route.

Related routes

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: $251 - $421

Prices are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is $251 to $421. The current lowest deal is $215 with Alaska Airlines, Inc. for travel from Oct 20-Oct 23.

now $215

Low $251

High $421

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

February

Cheapest

Flights from $214

November

Most Expensive

Flights from $483

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

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

Tue, Sep 1

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$504

$427

One-way

Wed, Sep 2

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$483

$426

One-way

Thu, Sep 3

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$486

$430

One-way

Fri, Sep 4

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$487

$437

One-way

Tue, Sep 15

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$327

$274

One-way

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Diego

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

Frontier Airlines

$289

$275

One-way

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

7 nights

Mar 17 - Mar 24

$519 → $430

17%

6 nights

Mar 17 - Mar 23

$518 → $430

17%

5 nights

Mar 10 - Mar 15

$468 → $383

18%

14 nights

Mar 9 - Mar 23

$472 → $387

18%

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

Washington, D.C. - San Diego route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares for Washington, D.C. to San Diego are above the typical level at $402.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in February for the best prices

Historically, February offers the lowest median price at $214 for this route.

⏱️ Flight duration

Median flight time is 12h 55m

The median flight duration from Washington, D.C. to San Diego is 12 hours 55 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Only 25.1% of flights are direct, with connecting flights typically having 2 stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

Alaska Airlines, Inc. offers direct deals

Alaska Airlines, Inc. has offered direct deals on this route in the last 90 days.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently

Deals for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego appear frequently.

Washington, D.C. main airports to depart from

Baltimore–Washington International (BWI)

Cheapest

Consider Baltimore–Washington International for potentially cheaper flights from the Washington, D.C. area to San Diego.

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

💸 Flights from ~$216

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. (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$276

Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Washington Dulles International offers another departure choice for your trip from Washington, D.C. to San Diego.

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

💸 Flights from ~$276

San Diego main airports to arrive at

San Diego International (SAN)

Cheapest

San Diego International Airport is a convenient arrival choice for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego.

📍 ~3 km from San Diego (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$216

Airports nearby San Diego used as alternative

Tijuana International (TIJ)

Tijuana International is a useful alternative for Mexico-bound travelers due to its direct access via CBX.

San Diego, United States

92% AI deal score

$2,555

$1,204

Save $1,351

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

Recent fares are above the typical level

Fly in February for the best prices

Median flight time is 12h 55m

Connecting flights are dominant

Alaska Airlines, Inc. offers direct deals

Deals appear frequently

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 03

Nov 04

Nov 04

Nov 17

Nov 10

Nov 14

Nov 03

Nov 18

Nov 19

Nov 21

Nov 09

Nov 08

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

Recent fares are above the typical level

Fly in February for the best prices

Median flight time is 12h 55m

Connecting flights are dominant

Alaska Airlines, Inc. offers direct deals

Deals appear frequently

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 03

Nov 04

Nov 04

Nov 17

Nov 10

Nov 14

Nov 03

Nov 18

Nov 19

Nov 21

Nov 09

Nov 08

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?