DSM to ORD: Distance and Flight Time
The distance from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is 480 km (298 mi). A typical nonstop flight covers it in about 1h 5m, heading east. The distance is the same in either direction (ORD to DSM).
How far is it from Des Moines to Chicago?
The great-circle distance between Des Moines International Airport (DSM) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is 480 km (298 mi, 259 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 DSM to ORD?
A nonstop flight typically takes about 1h 5m. This is an estimate from the distance; actual block times depend on the aircraft, winds and the exact routing. ORD is roughly east of DSM.
How is the DSM to ORD route written in code?
The pair is written DSM-ORD in IATA codes and KDSM-KORD in ICAO codes, the form used on a flight plan. Des Moines International Airport is DSM (KDSM), Chicago O'Hare International Airport is ORD (KORD).
| DSM | ORD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Des Moines International Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
| ICAO code | KDSM | KORD |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Elevation | 958 ft | 680 ft |
| Rank by connections | #480 | #2 |
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.
ORD sits 278 ft (85 m) lower than DSM, which is a real difference in air density on takeoff.
Airlines flying DSM to ORD
2 airlines appear on this route in the open route dataset, 2 of them still listed as active. Each row gives the IATA code, the ICAO code and the radio callsign, which is what an air traffic controller hears:
| IATA | Airline | ICAO | Callsign | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA | United Airlines | UAL | United | Active |
| US | US Airways | USA | U S Air | Active |
A further 1 carrier sell this pair as a codeshare without operating it: AA.
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 Des Moines from Chicago?
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) are 480 km (298 mi, 259 nautical miles) apart in a straight line.
How long is the flight from DSM to ORD?
A typical nonstop flight between DSM and ORD takes about 1h 5m. Actual times vary with aircraft type, winds and routing.
What direction is ORD from DSM?
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) lies roughly east of Des Moines International Airport (DSM).
Which airlines fly DSM to ORD?
2 airlines appear on the DSM-ORD route in the open dataset, including United Airlines, US Airways.
Related routes
Other routes from Des Moines (DSM):
Other routes from Chicago (ORD):
DSM airport code · ORD airport code · Busiest airports worldwide