DSM TSA Wait Times — Des Moines
Des Moines International Airport. Live security wait times, updated every 10 minutes.
GateWaitTimes independently measures security waits at DSM, taking a reading every ten minutes around the clock. We have recorded 11,095 readings here since August 25, 2026, drawn from official TSA, airport, and FAA feeds.
Learn more about our data credibility & sources →DSM TSA Wait Times by Hour
This chart shows the average security wait at DSM for every hour of the day, so a taller bar means the line is usually longer at that time. The numbers come from our own readings, which we take every ten minutes around the clock.
The current wait time at DSM is 13 minutes, which is about average for a Friday, when the line usually runs around 10 minutes.
When Should You Leave?
Tap to pick your flight’s departure time
TSA PreCheck at Des Moines
PreCheck lane open right now
The TSA PreCheck lane at Des Moines is usually the fastest way through security. Travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids packed, so the lane keeps moving even when the standard line backs up. At an airport this size, most major checkpoints run a PreCheck lane for much of the day, though hours still vary by checkpoint.
The status above comes from the same feed as the wait time on this page. GateWaitTimes polls it every 10 minutes, around the clock. If the lane shows closed, standard screening is still open; recheck shortly before you leave in case staffing changes.
How Early Should You Arrive at DSM?
These are general guidelines for Des Moines International Airport. Use the calculator above for a departure time tuned to the current wait, your drive, and whether you have PreCheck. Add time on peak travel mornings, around holidays, and if you're checking a bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the security line at Des Moines (DSM) right now?
As of the latest measurement, the standard security wait at DSM is about 13 minutes. GateWaitTimes re-measures every 10 minutes, so check the live figure at the top of this page.
How early should I arrive at Des Moines International Airport?
For a large airport, arrive about 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Add time during holiday peaks and early-morning banks.
Does DSM have TSA PreCheck?
Most US airports of this size offer TSA PreCheck lanes at their main checkpoints, though lane hours vary by checkpoint and time of day. Check the checkpoint status on this page for which lanes are reporting, and the TSA site for official PreCheck lane hours.
How often is this wait-time data updated?
GateWaitTimes polls TSA wait-time feeds, FAA airport status, and National Weather Service forecasts every 10 minutes, around the clock, and records every reading.
Is TSA PreCheck open at DSM right now?
Yes — as of the latest reading, a TSA PreCheck lane is open at DSM. GateWaitTimes re-checks every 10 minutes.
About Security at Des Moines International Airport
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) serves Des Moines, IA. It is a large airport with steady passenger volume through most of the day, so the standard lane rarely empties out completely, which shapes how the security line at Des Moines behaves: expect the longest waits when several departures cluster in the same hour, and much shorter ones in between.
TSA PreCheck status at DSM is tracked live. The PreCheck section above shows whether a lane is open right now. PreCheck lanes usually move faster than standard screening, but they are not staffed at every hour, so check before counting on one.
The number above is a live reading for the standard lane, refreshed every few minutes. Security wait times can change quickly at DSM, so recheck this page shortly before you leave for the airport.
Fun Facts About Des Moines International Airport
- Iowa's largest airport opened in 1933 on 160 acres of former farmland.
- Over 80 different sites were considered before this location was chosen.
- The US Army Air Corps took over the field as a training base during WWII.
- The core of today's terminal traces back to a building from the late 1940s.