DCA to DSM: Distance and Flight Time
The distance from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is 1,440 km (895 mi). A typical nonstop flight covers it in about 2h 20m, heading west. The distance is the same in either direction (DSM to DCA).
How far is it from Washington to Des Moines?
The great-circle distance between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is 1,440 km (895 mi, 778 nautical miles). That is the straight-line distance; a real flight is a little longer because of air-traffic routing.
How long is the flight from DCA to DSM?
A nonstop flight typically takes about 2h 20m. This is an estimate from the distance; actual block times depend on the aircraft, winds and the exact routing. DSM is roughly west of DCA.
How is the DCA to DSM route written in code?
The pair is written DCA-DSM in IATA codes and KDCA-KDSM in ICAO codes, the form used on a flight plan. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is DCA (KDCA), Des Moines International Airport is DSM (KDSM).
| DCA | DSM | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport | Des Moines International Airport |
| ICAO code | KDCA | KDSM |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Elevation | 15 ft | 958 ft |
| Rank by connections | #70 | #480 |
Both ICAO codes start with K, the prefix ICAO assigns to the contiguous United States, so this is a route inside one ICAO region. How ICAO prefixes are laid out.
DSM sits 943 ft (287 m) higher than DCA, which is a real difference in air density on takeoff.
Airlines flying DCA to DSM
No carrier is listed as operating this pair in the open route dataset. It appears only as a codeshare, sold by AA, USon another airline's aircraft.
Route and carrier data comes from the OpenFlights open dataset, regenerated here on . It is a historical snapshot of scheduled connections, not a live schedule, and it includes codeshare listings, so some carriers shown may no longer operate the route or exist. How we build this · Data and sources.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Washington from Des Moines?
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Des Moines International Airport (DSM) are 1,440 km (895 mi, 778 nautical miles) apart in a straight line.
How long is the flight from DCA to DSM?
A typical nonstop flight between DCA and DSM takes about 2h 20m. Actual times vary with aircraft type, winds and routing.
What direction is DSM from DCA?
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) lies roughly west of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Related routes
Other routes from Washington (DCA):
Other routes from Des Moines (DSM):
DCA airport code · DSM airport code · Busiest airports worldwide