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MCE to RDU: distance & flight time
Merced (Merced Regional Macready Field) → Raleigh-durham (Raleigh Durham International Airport)
2,298 mi
3,699 km · 1,997 nm
4h 58m
estimated nonstop flight time
+3h
time difference · heading east
See live MCE→RDU fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
2,298 miles nonstop takes roughly 4h 58m gate to gate, flying east. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 3-hour time gain when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- MCE — Merced Regional Macready Field · Merced, United States
- RDU — Raleigh Durham International Airport · Raleigh-durham, United States
Distances are great-circle ("as the crow flies") — the same basis airlines use for frequent-flyer miles.
Alternate airports can cut this fare
Flying from or into a nearby airport is the #1 trick our agents use to beat online prices. Call and we'll compare every combination on one call.
Near MCE
- MER · Castle Airport7 mi away
- RMY · Mariposa Yosemite Airport30 mi away
- MAE · Madera Municipal Airport30 mi away
- MOD · Modesto City Co-Harry Sham Field34 mi away
Near RDU
- POB · Pope Field50 mi away
- RWI · Rocky Mount Wilson Regional Airport50 mi away
- FBG · Simmons Army Air Field52 mi away
- SOP · Moore County Airport56 mi away
Frequently asked questions
How far is MCE from RDU?
The flight distance from Merced (MCE) to Raleigh-durham (RDU) is 2,298 miles (3,699 km, 1,997 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from MCE to RDU?
A nonstop flight takes about 4h 58m gate to gate. Actual time varies with winds, routing and season — eastbound transatlantic flights, for example, are usually faster than the return.
Are there nonstop flights from MCE to RDU?
Nonstop service on MCE–RDU depends on the season and the day of week. Run the fare search on this page with the nonstop filter applied to see current direct options; when there is no nonstop, a single connection through a carrier hub adds roughly 2–4 hours to the 4h 58m nonstop estimate.
What is the time difference between Merced and Raleigh-durham?
Raleigh-durham is 3 hours ahead of Merced.
What is the cheapest way to fly from MCE to RDU?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on MCE–RDU that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.
Why are some MCE to RDU fares phone-only?
Consolidator contracts let us sell certain MCE–RDU tickets below the price airlines permit us to publish online, so those fares can only be quoted over the phone. Call the travel desk and an agent will check phone-only inventory for your dates.