Des Moines, Iowa

Private charter · MDW → DSM

Chicago to Des Moines

305 miles, about 1 hr 45 min in a Cirrus SR20. One price for the whole airplane.

Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0

Price your flight from Chicago to Des Moines

Trip type
1

Times are local to each departure airport.

The trip

Chicago to Des Moines, door to door faster.

Trade about 6½ hours on the road for about 1 hr 45 min in the air. Littlebird flies you direct from Chicago Midway International Airport in Chicago to Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, 305 miles in a Cirrus SR20. You get the whole airplane for one price, with every fee and tax shown before you book.

Distance
305 mi
Flight
1 hr 45 min
Driving
6½ hours
Passengers
Up to 5
MDWChicagoDSMDes Moines
MDW → DSM305 miles direct

Flight time by aircraft

  • Cirrus SR20 · up to 3 passengers1 hr 45 min
  • Cirrus Vision Jet · up to 5 passengers55 min

Planned times in the air. Your quote shows exact departure and arrival times.

Departing Chicago

Airports in Chicago

  • MDW

    Major airport

    Chicago Midway International Airport

    Chicago · KMDW

    From downtown
    9 mi
    Longest runway
    6,522 ft

  • ORD

    Major airport

    Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    Chicago · KORD

    From downtown
    16 mi
    Longest runway
    13,000 ft

  • PWK

    Commercial airport

    Chicago Executive Airport

    Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling · KPWK

    From downtown
    21 mi
    Longest runway
    5,001 ft

  • GYY

    Commercial airport

    Gary/Chicago International Airport

    Gary · KGYY

    From downtown
    21 mi
    Longest runway
    8,859 ft

  • KIGQ

    Regional airport

    Lansing Municipal Airport

    Chicago

    From downtown
    25 mi
    Longest runway
    4,002 ft

  • K05C

    Regional airport

    Griffith-Merrillville Airport

    Griffith

    From downtown
    28 mi
    Longest runway
    4,900 ft

Arriving Des Moines

Airports in Des Moines

  • DSM

    Major airport

    Des Moines International Airport

    Des Moines · KDSM

    From downtown
    4 mi
    Longest runway
    9,004 ft

  • KIKV

    Regional airport

    Ankeny Regional Airport

    Ankeny

    From downtown
    8 mi
    Longest runway
    5,500 ft

  • AMW

    Regional airport

    Ames Municipal Airport

    Ames · KAMW

    From downtown
    28 mi
    Longest runway
    5,701 ft

When you land

Things to do in Des Moines

Des Moines is Iowa’s capital and largest city, and one of the country’s leading centers for insurance and financial services. Principal Financial Group, Wellmark and a long list of insurers, banks and agricultural companies have headquarters or major offices here, and state government adds a steady stream of officials and advocates. Every four years the city becomes a focus of national politics during the run-up to the Iowa caucuses, and its downtown has been revitalized with riverfront trails, a sculpture park, restaurants and new housing.

  1. 01

    Iowa State Capitol

    Topped by a 23-karat gold leaf dome, the Capitol offers free tours of its ornate chambers, its law library with spiral staircases and, on some tours, the dome itself.

  2. 02

    Pappajohn Sculpture Park

    This downtown park displays more than two dozen works by artists such as Jaume Plensa, Keith Haring and Claes Oldenburg, free and open to all.

  3. 03

    Des Moines Art Center

    The museum’s building combines wings by three celebrated architects, Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei and Richard Meier, and its collection is strong in modern and contemporary art. Admission is free.

  4. 04

    Iowa State Fair

    Each August, this classic Midwestern fair draws more than a million visitors for livestock shows, the famous butter cow, concerts and food on a stick.

  5. 05

    Downtown Farmers’ Market

    On Saturday mornings from spring through fall, hundreds of vendors line the streets of the Court Avenue district selling produce, baked goods, meats and crafts.

  6. 06

    Principal Riverwalk

    This loop of trails, bridges and plazas along the Des Moines River connects downtown with the East Village, with a seasonal ice skating rink in winter.

Explore Des Moines charter

Questions

Chicago to Des Moines flights

How long is a private flight from Chicago to Des Moines?

About 1 hr 45 min in a Cirrus SR20, for 305 miles direct. Driving the same trip takes about 6½ hours.

Which airports do flights from Chicago to Des Moines use?

You can depart from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), or Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) and arrive at Des Moines International Airport (DSM), Ankeny Regional Airport (KIKV), or Ames Municipal Airport (AMW). Pick whichever is closest to where you're starting and where you're headed.

How much does a private charter from Chicago to Des Moines cost?

The price depends on the date, departure time, aircraft and where the airplane is positioned. Enter your trip above to see an instant price for the whole airplane, with every tax and fee included.

Can I book a round trip between Chicago and Des Moines?

Yes. Choose round trip when you search, and pick your return date and time. Flights from Des Moines back to Chicago are priced the same way.

Return flight

Des Moines to Chicago

More flights from Chicago

More flights to Des Moines

Explore Chicago private charter and Des Moines private charter, airports and things to do. Arriving at Des Moines International Airport (DSM).

Chicago to Des Moines, on your schedule

Choose your departure time and see an instant price for the whole airplane. Bring up to 5 passengers for the same price.

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