Philadelphia to Washington
39m The flight from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) covers 192 km (119 miles) and takes approximately 39m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 234°, passing near 39.4° N, 76.1° 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 | 21m | 46m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 15m | 40m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 13m | 38m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 14m | 39m |
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
| PHL | DCA | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Philadelphia International Airport | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
| City | Philadelphia | Washington |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KPHL | KDCA |
| Coordinates | 39.8719, -75.2411 | 38.8521, -77.0377 |
| Elevation | 36 ft | 15 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Philadelphia to Washington?
A non-stop flight from Philadelphia (PHL) to Washington (DCA) takes about 39m. The great-circle distance is 192 km (119 miles, 103 nautical miles), flying south-west on an initial bearing of 234°.
How far is Philadelphia from Washington?
192 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 119 miles or 103 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 PHL and DCA?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 192 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.