Washington to Charlotte
1h 05m The flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) covers 533 km (331 miles) and takes approximately 1h 05m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 222°, passing near 37.0° N, 79.0° 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 | 58m | 1h 23m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 41m | 1h 06m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 36m | 1h 01m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 38m | 1h 03m |
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
| DCA | CLT | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport | Charlotte Douglas International Airport |
| City | Washington | Charlotte |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KDCA | KCLT |
| Coordinates | 38.8521, -77.0377 | 35.214, -80.9431 |
| Elevation | 15 ft | 748 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Washington to Charlotte?
A non-stop flight from Washington (DCA) to Charlotte (CLT) takes about 1h 05m. The great-circle distance is 533 km (331 miles, 288 nautical miles), flying south-west on an initial bearing of 222°.
How far is Washington from Charlotte?
533 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 331 miles or 288 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 DCA and CLT?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 533 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.