Route guide · 717 miles
Cheap Flights from St. Louis to Washington
STL → DCA · Nonstop 1h 57m · Live round-trip fares
Flying from St. Louis to Washington doesn't have to drain your wallet. This 717-mile hop takes about 1h 57m nonstop, and fares swing a lot depending on the week you pick. Travelers who book roughly 2–4 weeks out usually come out ahead — set a free alert and let the deals come to you.
Live fares for STL → DCA are updating. Use the search below for real-time prices.
Search live pricesCheapest recent fare
See live fares
Updated daily
Flight time
1h 57m
Nonstop, typical
Distance
717 mi
STL → DCA
Book ahead
2–4 weeks
Best window, typically
Nonstop airlines
2
American Airlines, Southwest Airlines
Nonstop flights from St. Louis to Washington
Nonstop service links St. Louis and Washington directly — flights are flown by American Airlines, Southwest Airlines. Expect roughly 1h 57m in the air. If a nonstop is what you want, don't wait too long: booking 2–4 weeks ahead is when these seats are priced most kindly.
Booking insights: St. Louis → Washington
- Distance: 717 miles · nonstop flight time: 1h 57m.
- Cheapest upcoming week in the live data starts around Nov 5, with fares from $118.
- Rule of thumb for this route: the sweet spot is usually 2–4 weeks before departure.
- Midweek departures (Tue–Thu) are consistently cheaper than weekend flights.
- Set a free Airfare Deal alert instead of checking daily — the best fares can sell out in hours.
Price trend
Cheapest departure weeks ahead
Departing around Nov 5 is currently the cheapest window — about $135 less than the nearest weeks. Based on recent fares found for this route; prices change quickly.
Cheapest month · St. Louis → Washington
November 2026
Every date's recent round-trip fare, at a glance.
Fares from
$118
Cheapest: Wed, Nov 11 — $118
Get this fare →Recent fares found for specific dates in November 2026. Blank days had no recent fare in our data — ask our team and we'll check them for you.
Free fare alerts
Watch St. Louis (STL) → Washington (DCA)
We check this route's fares daily. The moment the price drops, we'll email you — free, unsubscribe anytime.
Talk to a real person
Get St. Louis → Washington flights confirmed by phone
Fares move fast. Call us and we'll confirm the latest price for your dates — or drop your number and we'll call you back. Free, no payment taken on the call.
Request a callback
Flying from St. Louis to Washington: what you need to know
The flight
St. Louis to Washington covers 717 miles, and a nonstop gets it done in about 1h 57m. That's long enough to settle in with a coffee and a downloaded show, short enough that a connection rarely makes sense — a layover usually doubles your travel day to save very little.
Airlines on this route
American Airlines and Southwest Airlines fly this route nonstop. That matters more than it sounds: the cheapest fare on one carrier is rarely the same product as the cheapest on another. Checked-bag fees, free seat selection and change rules all differ, so compare the full trip cost before you pick a winner. See our airline guides for exactly what each carrier charges — then send an enquiry and we'll confirm the all-in price for your dates.
Leaving from St. Louis (STL)
Plan to be at the airport two hours before a domestic departure — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times, but security lines are the one variable you can't control. If you're checking a bag, add time rather than cutting it close. Our St. Louis airport guide covers terminals, parking and ground transport so you can plan the trip to the airport, not just the flight.
Arriving in Washington (DCA)
Before you land, know how you're getting from the airport to where you're staying — it's the part of the trip people forget to plan. The Washington airport guide lays out your ground options, from transit and shuttles to rideshares and rental cars. Flying back the other way? Check Washington to St. Louis fares — prices on the return direction often move on a different rhythm.
When to book
For a trip of 717 miles, booking 2–4 weeks ahead typically lands you in the sweet spot. Leave it to the final two weeks and prices usually climb as the cheapest seats sell out. If your dates are flexible, midweek departures are where the lower fares hide on most domestic routes.
Good to know before you go
- Download the airline's app before you fly; gate changes and delays show up there first.
- Nonstop time on this route is about 1h 57m — a one-stop itinerary needs to be a lot cheaper to be worth the extra hours.
- Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically the cheapest days on domestic routes.
- Screenshot your fare before you enquire — prices move, and a saved fare helps our team match or beat it.
- Flexible dates? Search a few days either side — one day can change the fare a lot.
St. Louis to Washington flight FAQs
How long is the flight from STL to DCA?
A nonstop from STL to DCA clocks in at around 1h 57m for the 717-mile trip. If you're connecting, budget an extra 2–4 hours depending on where you stop.
Are there nonstop flights from St. Louis to Washington?
Yes — look for American Airlines, Southwest Airlines on this route. Nonstop seats are usually priced best 2–4 weeks before departure.
What is the cheapest month to fly from St. Louis to Washington?
Fares from St. Louis to Washington tend to ease outside the peak summer and holiday rush — the late-summer and early-fall shoulder weeks are usually kinder on the wallet. Set a free Airfare Deal alert and we'll flag the dips for your dates.
How much are last minute flights from STL to DCA?
Book inside the final week and you'll usually pay a premium on STL to DCA. Fares booked 2–4 weeks ahead are almost always kinder.
What is a good round-trip deal from St. Louis to Washington?
A good deal is anything at or below the recent fares shown above. Set a free Airfare Deal alert and we'll ping you the moment fares drop.
Which airlines fly from St. Louis to Washington?
The main carriers on this route are American Airlines, Southwest Airlines. Comparing all of them on the live search below usually surfaces the lowest fare for your dates.
How early should I get to St. Louis airport for this flight?
Plan on two hours before departure for a domestic flight — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times. If you're checking a bag, earlier is better; the bag-drop line, not the flight, is what runs late.
Do the cheapest fares on this route include a checked bag?
Usually not. Basic economy fares on most airlines include a carry-on but charge extra for checked bags, and seat selection can cost more too. Add up the real total before comparing — a slightly higher regular fare sometimes works out cheaper. Our team confirms the full breakdown with you before you pay.
More cheap flights from St. Louis
How Airfare Deal works — Airfare Deal is a free fare-search and enquiry service. We take no payment online; send an enquiry and our travel team confirms your fare before you pay anything.