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MDW to DCA: distance & flight time
Chicago (Chicago Midway International Airport) → Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport)
599 mi
964 km · 521 nm
1h 46m
estimated nonstop flight time
+1h
time difference · heading east
See live MDW→DCA fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
599 miles nonstop takes roughly 1h 46m gate to gate, flying east. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 1-hour time gain when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- MDW — Chicago Midway International Airport · Chicago, United States
- DCA — Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport · Washington, 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 MDW
- ORD · Chicago O'Hare International Airport15 mi away
- CGX · Chicago Meigs Airport9 mi away
- GYY · Gary Chicago International Airport21 mi away
- LOT · Lewis University Airport22 mi away
Near DCA
Frequently asked questions
How far is MDW from DCA?
The flight distance from Chicago (MDW) to Washington (DCA) is 599 miles (964 km, 521 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from MDW to DCA?
A nonstop flight takes about 1h 46m 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 MDW to DCA?
Nonstop service on MDW–DCA 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 1h 46m nonstop estimate.
What is the time difference between Chicago and Washington?
Washington is 1 hour ahead of Chicago.
What is the cheapest way to fly from MDW to DCA?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on MDW–DCA that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.
Why are some MDW to DCA fares phone-only?
Consolidator contracts let us sell certain MDW–DCA 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.