Detroit to Washington
1h 14m The flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) covers 651 km (405 miles) and takes approximately 1h 14m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 123°, passing near 40.6° N, 80.1° W at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 1h 11m | 1h 36m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 50m | 1h 15m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 43m | 1h 09m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 46m | 1h 11m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| DTW | DCA | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
| City | Detroit | Washington |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KDTW | KDCA |
| Coordinates | 42.2138, -83.3538 | 38.8521, -77.0377 |
| Elevation | 645 ft | 15 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Detroit to Washington?
A non-stop flight from Detroit (DTW) to Washington (DCA) takes about 1h 14m. The great-circle distance is 651 km (405 miles, 352 nautical miles), flying south-east on an initial bearing of 123°.
How far is Detroit from Washington?
651 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 405 miles or 352 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between DTW and DCA?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 651 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.