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$220+ Cheap flights from Des Moines to Oakland, CA (DSM - OAK)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 10/8. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — OAK
Oct 17 — Oct 241
Fri 10/17
Fri 10/24
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to Oakland

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Oakland (OAK). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated September 17, 2025.

Round-trip from

$348
(Southwest)

One-way from

$220
(Southwest)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

April

Average price

$605
From Des Moines to Oakland
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One-way flight from Des Moines to Oakland
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 4% potential increase in price ($23 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($16 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in September 2025
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Find flight deals from Des Moines to Oakland

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Oakland
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Oakland. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on September 17, 2025.

This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/17. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/108:20 amDSM - OAK
1 stop8h 20mSouthwest
Sat 12/131:05 pmOAK - DSM
1 stop5h 20mSouthwest
Deal found 9/17$348
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/16. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 11/111:06 amDSM - OAK
2 stops12h 26mDelta
Tue 11/45:55 amOAK - DSM
2 stops9h 21mDelta
Deal found 9/16$358
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 11/512:05 pmDSM - OAK
1 stop5h 40mSouthwest
Mon 11/106:00 amOAK - DSM
2 stops7h 30mSouthwest
Deal found 9/15$363
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 11/512:05 pmDSM - OAK
1 stop5h 40mSouthwest
Sun 11/97:20 amOAK - DSM
1 stop6h 10mSouthwest
Deal found 9/15$392
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 11/68:00 amDSM - OAK
1 stop9h 20mSouthwest
Mon 11/107:20 amOAK - DSM
1 stop6h 10mSouthwest
Deal found 9/15$414
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 10/153:00 pmDSM - OAK
1 stop5h 45mSouthwest
Sun 10/199:10 amOAK - DSM
1 stop11h 40mSouthwest
Deal found 9/15$427

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to Oakland that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated September 17, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Oakland that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

Oakland

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Wed 12/10

8:20 am-2:40 pm

1 stop8h 20m

Oakland

Sat 12/13

1:05 pm-8:25 pm

1 stop5h 20m

$348

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Sat 11/1

11:06 am-9:32 pm

2 stops12h 26m

Oakland

Tue 11/4

5:55 am-5:16 pm

2 stops9h 21m

$358

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Wed 11/5

12:05 pm-3:45 pm

1 stop5h 40m

Oakland

Mon 11/10

7:10 am-5:35 pm

1 stop8h 25m

$358

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Wed 11/5

12:05 pm-3:45 pm

1 stop5h 40m

Oakland

Sun 11/9

7:20 am-3:30 pm

1 stop6h 10m

$392

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Thu 11/6

8:00 am-3:20 pm

1 stop9h 20m

Oakland

Mon 11/10

7:20 am-3:30 pm

1 stop6h 10m

$414

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Wed 10/8

7:25 am-2:25 pm

1 stop9h 00m

$220

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Mon 10/6

4:35 pm-9:45 pm

1 stop7h 10m

$274

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Tue 10/7

2:40 pm-11:53 pm

2 stops11h 13m

$279

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Sun 10/5

7:00 am-12:10 pm

1 stop7h 10m

$309

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Mon 10/13

4:35 pm-9:45 pm

1 stop7h 10m

$309

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 9/17

Showing 1-10 of 13 results
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Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Oakland

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Oakland from Des Moines with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Des Moines to Oakland

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Oakland, California?

Currently, April is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Oakland, California (average of $183). Flying from Des Moines to Oakland, California in November is currently the most expensive (average of $259). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

Reviews of airlines servicing Oakland

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Oakland. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Oakland. Reviews last updated September 17, 2025.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Southwest from Des Moines to Oakland by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Des Moines to Oakland. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • How long is the flight from Des Moines to Oakland, California?

    For as low as $348, Southwest can have you in Oakland, California from Des Moines in 8h 20m. Des Moines and Oakland, California are separated by a distance of 1534 mi. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both nonstop flights and flights with stops.

  • What is the cheapest airline to fly from Des Moines to Oakland, California round-trip?

    Currently priced at $386, Southwest will fly you from Des Moines to Oakland, California and back. In addition to Southwest, many other airlines offer competitively priced options for your trip. Users have found that Southwest is 25% cheaper than the other options available to this destination.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Des Moines to Oakland that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Des Moines to Oakland flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Des Moines to Oakland?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Des Moines to Oakland.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Des Moines to Oakland?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to Oakland by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Oakland, California?

    Currently, April is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Oakland, California (average of $183). Flying from Des Moines to Oakland, California in November is currently the most expensive (average of $259). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

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Alternative routes for Des Moines to Oakland

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Top airline flying from Des Moines to Oakland

Discover the top airline that operate flights from Des Moines to Oakland. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated September 17, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
SouthwestCheapest$386Average$527FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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