- Must visit
Des Moines Art Center
Major contemporary and modern art museum with a respected collection and notable architecture by Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier.
Flights from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA depart on average 43 times per day, taking around 4h 10m. Cheap flight tickets for this journey start at $207 (€169) but you can travel from only $143 (€117) by bus.
There are 1 flights per day. The earliest flight runs at 00:13, the last at 23:58. The fastest flight covers the 1435 miles (2311 km) distance in 3h 32m. June is the cheapest month to fly.
Distance 1435 miles (2311 km) |
Average flight duration 4h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $207 (€169) |
Flights per day 43 |
Direct flights 1 |
Fastest flight 3h 32m |
First flight 12:13 AM |
Last flight 11:58 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 21 days |
Cheapest price
$410
Average price
$430
Fastest journey
3 h 32 m
Average duration
3 h 33 m
Flights per day
3
Distance
2311 km
The best way to find a cheap flight ticket from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA will cost around $430 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $410.
Of the 3 flights that leave Los Angeles, CA for Des Moines, IA onFri, Jun 19, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 19 the direct flights cover the 2311 km distance in an average of 3 h 33 m but if you time it right, some flights will get you there in just 3 h 32 m .
On Fri, Jun 19 the longest flights will take 3 h 35 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.






Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $143. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 10m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $143, and a flight costs an average of $207.
Distance: 1435 miles (2311 km)
Most popular Flight | Bus |
|---|---|
$375 Average price | $254 Average price Cheapest |
7h 10m Average total duration Fastest 4h 10m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 41h 48m Average total duration 41h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA:
A bus is $121 (€99) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA costing on average $375 (€306).
Other travel options to Des Moines, IA take longer:
Bus takes on average 41h 18m.
The table below shows live departures for Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA flights for today, Thursday, June 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated flight journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UA2446 · UA596 | 5:00 AM Ontario International Airport | 5h36 | 12:36 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2754 · UA596 | 5:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 5h36 | 12:36 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1936 · UA6166 | 5:45 AM Ontario International Airport | 6h25 | 2:10 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2811 · AA2421 | 6:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h03 | 4:03 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2811 · AA1762 | 6:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 10h22 | 6:22 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2027 · AA568 | 6:15 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 15h18 | 11:33 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA513 · UA1311 | 6:45 AM John Wayne Airport | 7h30 | 4:15 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2746 · AA2421 | 7:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 7h03 | 4:03 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2746 · AA1762 | 7:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 9h22 | 6:22 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2317 · AA2421 | 8:05 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 5h58 | 4:03 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2317 · AA1762 | 8:05 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h17 | 6:22 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1912 · UA1311 | 8:47 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 5h28 | 4:15 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA489 · UA1311 | 9:00 AM John Wayne Airport | 5h15 | 4:15 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1186 · AA1762 | 9:02 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 7h20 | 6:22 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1191 · UA1311 | 9:08 AM Burbank | 5h07 | 4:15 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2608+ AA4973 | 9:31 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 7h08 | 6:39 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2608+ AA4442 | 9:31 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 13h04 | 12:35 AM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2608+ AA4102 | 9:31 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h04 | 7:35 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1668 · AA568 | 10:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 11h33 | 11:33 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA3164+ AA4406 | 10:13 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 9h45 | 9:58 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA3218 · AA1371 | 10:37 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 11h21 | 11:58 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2426 · UA5990 | 10:37 AM John Wayne Airport | 6h48 | 7:25 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2386 · UA1430 · UA5389 | 10:53 AM Burbank | 10h51 | 11:44 PM Des Moines International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA1159 · AA2241 | 11:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 11h12 | 12:12 AM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2086 · UA1780 | 11:54 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h46 | 10:40 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2044 · UA1780 | 11:58 AM John Wayne Airport | 8h42 | 10:40 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1230 · AA1371 | 12:15 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 9h43 | 11:58 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA4971 | 12:39 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 3h38 | 6:17 PM Des Moines International Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
UA2187 · UA549 | 12:48 PM Burbank | 5h42 | 8:30 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1591 · UA1780 | 1:10 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 7h30 | 10:40 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1994 · AA568 | 1:15 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h18 | 11:33 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1263 · UA549 | 1:18 PM Ontario International Airport | 5h12 | 8:30 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA469 · UA1430 · UA5389 | 1:25 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h19 | 11:44 PM Des Moines International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA3134+ AA4442 | 1:29 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 9h06 | 12:35 AM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1375 · UA1430 · UA5389 | 1:42 PM Ontario International Airport | 8h02 | 11:44 PM Des Moines International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA1453 · UA1430 · UA5389 | 1:45 PM Burbank | 7h59 | 11:44 PM Des Moines International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA1988 · AA2241 | 1:53 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h19 | 12:12 AM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2041 · AA1371 | 1:58 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h00 | 11:58 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2994 · AA1371 | 3:00 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 6h58 | 11:58 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2032 · AA568 | 4:35 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 4h58 | 11:33 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5624 · UA2278 · UA581 | 6:39 PM Ontario International Airport | 13h46 | 10:25 AM Des Moines International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA1508 · UA2278 · UA581 | 6:42 PM Burbank | 13h43 | 10:25 AM Des Moines International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA2681 · UA2278 · UA581 | 6:45 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 13h40 | 10:25 AM Des Moines International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA5339 · UA2278 · UA581 | 7:49 PM John Wayne Airport | 12h36 | 10:25 AM Des Moines International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA1195 · UA2278 · UA581 | 8:22 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 12h03 | 10:25 AM Des Moines International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA2854 · UA2278 · UA581 | 8:22 PM Burbank | 12h03 | 10:25 AM Des Moines International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA2293 · AA2516 | 9:08 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 14h36 | 1:44 PM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA353 · UA581 | 10:35 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 9h50 | 10:25 AM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1962 · UA581 | 11:30 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h55 | 10:25 AM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA3136 · AA3193 | 11:55 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 7h05 | 9:00 AM Des Moines International Airport | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Discover the best of Des Moines — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Des Moines trip today.
Major contemporary and modern art museum with a respected collection and notable architecture by Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier.
Museum covering Iowa history through permanent and rotating exhibits, located in the State Historical Building near the Capitol complex.
Historic house museum inspired by English manor architecture, featuring art, books, antiques, and landscaped grounds.
Downtown sculpture park featuring major contemporary works in an open urban green space, highly popular for walks and photos.
Trendy neighborhood east of the river known for independent shops, murals, historic streetscapes, and a lively local atmosphere.
Signature downtown walking area along the Des Moines River with bridges, lighting, event spaces, and skyline views.
An Iowa classic: a pork cutlet pounded thin, breaded, fried, and served on a bun, often comically larger than the bread. It is one of the state's most iconic comfort foods.
Iowa sweet corn is a summer staple, prized for its tenderness and natural sweetness. It is commonly eaten grilled, boiled, or buttered at fairs, cookouts, and seasonal meals.
A seasoned ground beef sandwich served loose on a bun rather than formed into a patty. It is a longtime Midwestern lunch-counter favorite strongly associated with Iowa.
A respected fine-dining venue in a historic house, serving refined American and Italian-influenced dishes in an intimate setting. A strong choice for a special night out.
An upscale steakhouse known for classic service, prime steaks, and an elegant atmosphere. It is one of Des Moines' best-known options for a high-end dinner.
A popular Des Moines burger spot known for creative burgers, boozy shakes, and a lively horror-themed atmosphere. A dependable place to try a strong local casual dining favorite.
Moderate by U.S. standards. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than in major coastal cities, though downtown and event periods cost more.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis 10-15%, hotel staff USD 2-5, and round up for casual services.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Los Angeles, CA to Des Moines, IA by flight. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest flight, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Des Moines, IA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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