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$179+ Cheap flights from Des Moines to Sacramento (DSM - SMF)

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 2/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — SMF
Jan 11 — Jan 181
Sun 1/11
Sun 1/18
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to Sacramento

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Sacramento
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Sacramento. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on December 12, 2025.

This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/11. 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 12/2412:05 pmDSM - SMF
2 stops7h 35mSouthwest
Sun 1/45:05 amSMF - DSM
1 stop5h 20mSouthwest
Deal found 12/11$561
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/9. 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 American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/175:21 amDSM - SMF
1 stop5h 58mAmerican Airlines
Thu 12/256:03 amSMF - DSM
1 stop6h 14mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/9$606
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/9. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/175:15 pmDSM - SMF
1 stop6h 05mUnited Airlines
Thu 12/2510:40 amSMF - DSM
2 stops11h 18mUnited Airlines
Deal found 12/9$611
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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.
Tue 12/306:35 amDSM - SMF
2 stops10h 25mSouthwest
Sun 1/45:05 amSMF - DSM
1 stop5h 20mSouthwest
Deal found 12/10$615
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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 American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/315:21 amDSM - SMF
1 stop12h 36mAmerican Airlines
Thu 1/16:00 amSMF - DSM
1 stop6h 17mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/10$626
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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.
Sun 12/286:59 amDSM - SMF
1 stop7h 14mDelta
Tue 1/66:00 amSMF - DSM
1 stop7h 41mDelta
Deal found 12/10$648
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/311:30 pmDSM - SMF
1 stop6h 22mUnited Airlines
Sat 1/35:00 amSMF - DSM
1 stop5h 42mUnited Airlines
Deal found 12/10$651

Find flight deals from Des Moines to Sacramento

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Sacramento (SMF). 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 December 12, 2025.

Most accurate provider

eDreams
3 stars

Most trusted provider

eDreams
3 stars

Round-trip from

$279
(Kiwi.com)

One-way from

$179
(Delta)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$776
Provider with most accurate pricing for Des Moines-Sacramento Intl flight deals.
Search Deals
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Des Moines-Sacramento Intl flights.
Search Deals
From Des Moines to Sacramento Intl
Search Deals
One-way flight from Des Moines to Sacramento Intl
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 22% potential increase in price ($134 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 6% potential price decrease ($28 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in December 2025
Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to Sacramento 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 December 12, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Sacramento that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

Sacramento

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesSacramento

DSM - SMF

DSMSMF

Des Moines

Wed 2/11

12:05 pm-4:50 pm

1 stop6h 45m

Sacramento Intl

Wed 2/18

6:55 am-2:40 pm

1 stop5h 45m

$326

Des MoinesSacramento

DSM - SMF

DSMSMF

Des Moines

Sat 1/17

5:45 am-9:55 am

1 stop6h 10m

Sacramento Intl

Wed 1/21

10:15 am-7:20 pm

1 stop7h 05m

$326

Des MoinesSacramento

DSM - SMF

DSMSMF

Des Moines

Sat 1/17

1:35 pm-9:54 pm

2 stops10h 19m

Sacramento Intl

Wed 1/21

11:10 am-8:34 pm

2 stops7h 24m

$336

Des MoinesSacramento

DSM - SMF

DSMSMF

Des Moines

Tue 1/13

5:09 pm-9:03 pm

1 stop5h 54m

Sacramento Intl

Fri 1/16

11:21 am-10:30 pm

1 stop9h 09m

$392

Des MoinesSacramento

DSM - SMF

DSMSMF

Des Moines

Wed 2/18

6:50 am-4:58 pm

2 stops12h 08m

Sacramento Intl

Sun 2/22

6:00 am-3:40 pm

1 stop7h 40m

$412

Des MoinesSacramento

DSM - SMF

DSMSMF

Des Moines

Wed 2/11

8:00 am-7:39 pm

3 stops13h 39m

Sacramento Intl

Wed 2/18

8:45 am-9:51 pm

2 stops11h 06m

$421

Des MoinesSacramento

DSM - SMF

DSMSMF

Des Moines

Mon 2/16

3:24 pm-10:30 pm

1 stop9h 06m

Sacramento Intl

Fri 2/20

4:00 pm-11:43 pm

1 stop5h 43m

$427

Des MoinesSacramento

DSM - SMF

DSMSMF

Des Moines

Sat 2/21

5:30 am-9:36 am

1 stop6h 06m

Sacramento Intl

Wed 2/25

10:45 am-9:51 pm

1 stop9h 06m

$437

Des MoinesSacramento

DSM - SMF

DSMSMF

Des Moines

Tue 2/3

4:22 pm-8:58 pm

1 stop6h 36m

$179

Des MoinesSacramento

DSM - SMF

DSMSMF

Des Moines

Tue 2/3

9:03 am-7:36 pm

2 stops12h 33m

$184

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 12/11

Showing 1-10 of 14 results
1
2

Compare providers for flights from Des Moines to Sacramento

Provider information is updated monthly. Please note that these providers often have deals for this flight, but the availability may vary on a day-by-day basis on Cheapflights.
Use the table below to compare price accuracy, trust ratings, and cancellation policies for each provider offering flight deals from Des Moines to Sacramento in December.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*1 star
eDreamsPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars

*The Trust Score is based on feedback from users after their booking experience. It measures overall satisfaction, helping us identify issues like hidden fees, problems during the ticketing process, and the quality of customer service. This score is our best indicator of the provider's quality and reliability.

  • Most accurate provider: When it comes to deals on Des Moines-Sacramento flights, users find the pricing of eDreams to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. eDreams Users can find the same prices on Des Moines-Sacramento flight deals on Cheapflights vs. eDreams >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Des Moines-Sacramento flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Des Moines-Sacramento flights, Cheapflights users trust eDreams the most. eDreams has received a user feedback score of 3 out of 3 stars (3 being the best), meaning they have been trusted the most by Cheapflights users looking for Des Moines-Sacramento flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Sacramento

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Sacramento 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 Sacramento

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Sacramento?

Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Sacramento (average of $185). Flying from Des Moines to Sacramento in December is currently the most expensive (average of $351). 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.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from DSM to SMF?

Find hourly flight availability from Des Moines to Sacramento. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated December 12, 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Des Moines to Sacramento in the evening. Doing so could potentially save you 30% on the flight price compared to flying at noon, which is usually more expensive.

Reviews of airlines servicing Sacramento

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Sacramento. 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 Sacramento. Reviews last updated December 12, 2025.
Peruse reviews from past customers who have flown with Southwest, United Airlines, and American Airlines from Des Moines to Sacramento to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,253 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

7.9

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
7.9
Good
4,253 reviews
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,253 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

7.9

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.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,095 reviews
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,253 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

7.9

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.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
11,050 reviews
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,253 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

7.9

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 Sacramento. 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 Sacramento?

    For as low as $326, Southwest can have you in Sacramento from Des Moines in 6h 45m. The distance from Des Moines to Sacramento is about 1481 mi. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both nonstop flights and flights with stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Des Moines to Sacramento round-trip?

    Cheapflights users have booked flights from Des Moines to Sacramento round-trip from $272. Other airlines that can offer you cheap pricing are United Airlines, from $334, and Southwest, from $340. American Airlines is priced at 42% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to Sacramento 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 Sacramento?

    Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Sacramento (average of $185). Flying from Des Moines to Sacramento in December is currently the most expensive (average of $351). 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.

See more FAQs

Traveling to a place near Sacramento?

Book flights to Sacramento if you plan to visit one of these locations
Placerville
Yuba City
Oroville
Plymouth
Auburn
Rocklin
Lincoln

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Top 3 airlines flying from Des Moines to Sacramento

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to Sacramento. 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 December 12, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$272Average$417FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$334Average$432FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
SouthwestCheapest$340Average$507FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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