Flights from San Francisco to Des Moines
Pick a departure date to see flights and seller prices
We search agencies and airlines for your day: nonstop and connecting flights, baggage, departure and arrival times.
Where to connect
Options with one connection, fastest first
- fastest, via Denver
- 7h 15m
- two tickets, via Dallas
- $289
- connection options
- 5
- straight-line distance
- 1,546 mi (2,488 km)
fastest
Via Denver
7h 15m
with the connection
two ticketsfrom $445
Via Las Vegas
7h 25m
with the connection
San Francisco to Las Vegas
flight 1h 30m
Connection of about 3h
Las Vegas to Des Moines
flight 2h 55m
Via Los Angeles
7h 58m
with the connection
San Francisco to Los Angeles
flight 1h 23m
Connection of about 3h
Arrival: Long Beach, Los Angeles International, Ontario International. Departure to Des Moines: Los Angeles International.
Los Angeles to Des Moines
flight 3h 35m
two ticketsfrom $418
Via Dallas
8h 31m
with the connection
San Francisco to Dallas
flight 3h 35m
Connection of about 3h
Arrival: Dallas Love Field, Dallas/Fort Worth International. Departure to Des Moines: Dallas/Fort Worth International.
Dallas to Des Moines
flight 1h 56m
two ticketsfrom $289
Via Chicago
8h 42m
with the connection
two ticketsfrom $291
One ticket or two
How the options are calculated and what to keep in mind at the connection
Flight times come from the nonstop schedule (estimated from the distance where there is no schedule), with 3h allowed for the connection. The price of an option is the sum of the lowest known fares for each leg; their dates may not match, so treat it as a guide. The search shows tickets for your dates, including connections on a single ticket.
Nearest nonstop flights
The closest you can get without a connection
From San Francisco to cities closest to Des Moines
San Francisco to Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids: 104 mi (168 km) from Des Moines, flight 6h 2m
San Francisco to Minneapolis
Minneapolis: 235 mi (378 km) from Des Moines, flight 3h 41m
from $171
San Francisco to St Louis
St Louis: 273 mi (439 km) from Des Moines, flight 3h 55m
from $220
San Francisco to Milwaukee
Milwaukee: 309 mi (497 km) from Des Moines, flight 5h 55m
from $324
San Francisco to Chicago
Chicago: 309 mi (498 km) from Des Moines, flight 4h 5m
from $177
San Francisco to Indianapolis
Indianapolis: 411 mi (661 km) from Des Moines, flight 4h 20m
To Des Moines from cities closest to San Francisco
Los Angeles to Des Moines
Los Angeles: 347 mi (559 km) from San Francisco, flight 3h 35m
from $225
Las Vegas to Des Moines
Las Vegas: 417 mi (671 km) from San Francisco, flight 2h 55m
Denver to Des Moines
Denver: 948 mi (1,525 km) from San Francisco, flight 1h 45m
from $167
Dallas to Des Moines
Dallas: 1,481 mi (2,383 km) from San Francisco, flight 1h 56m
from $143
Chicago to Des Moines
Chicago: 1,855 mi (2,985 km) from San Francisco, flight 1h 37m
from $92
Atlanta to Des Moines
Atlanta: 2,136 mi (3,437 km) from San Francisco, flight 2h 15m
Frequently asked questions
Is there a nonstop flight from San Francisco to Des Moines?
There are no nonstop flights in the schedule. You will need a connection, the fastest is via Denver.
What is the fastest way to fly from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Via Denver: 2h 30m to the connection, 1h 45m after it, about 7h 15m in total with 3h for the connection.
How much does a flight from San Francisco to Des Moines with a connection cost?
Two nonstop tickets via Dallas from $289. This is the sum of the lowest known prices for each leg, and their dates may not match.
Which cities can you connect in between San Francisco and Des Moines?
Denver (7h 15m total), Las Vegas (7h 25m total), Los Angeles (7h 58m total), Dallas (8h 31m total) and Chicago (8h 42m total).
How far is Des Moines from San Francisco?
1,546 mi (2,488 km) in a straight line between the cities.
How much time should I allow for the connection?
The options allow 3h. On a single ticket the carrier is responsible for the connection; on separate tickets you set the margin yourself, allowing time to collect and re-check your bags.