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RCA to DCA: distance & flight time
Rapid City (Ellsworth Air Force Base) → Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport)
1,391 mi
2,239 km · 1,209 nm
3h 29m
estimated nonstop flight time
+2h
time difference · heading east
See live RCA→DCA fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
1,391 miles nonstop takes roughly 3h 29m gate to gate, flying east. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 2-hour time gain when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- RCA — Ellsworth Air Force Base · Rapid City, 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 RCA
- RAP · Rapid City Regional Airport7 mi away
- SPF · Black Hills Airport-Clyde Ice Field41 mi away
- CDR · Chadron Municipal Airport90 mi away
- GCC · Gillette Campbell County Airport121 mi away
Near DCA
Frequently asked questions
How far is RCA from DCA?
The flight distance from Rapid City (RCA) to Washington (DCA) is 1,391 miles (2,239 km, 1,209 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from RCA to DCA?
A nonstop flight takes about 3h 29m gate to gate. Actual time varies with winds, routing and season — eastbound transatlantic flights, for example, are usually faster than the return.
What is the time difference between Rapid City and Washington?
Washington is 2 hours ahead of Rapid City.
What is the cheapest way to fly from RCA to DCA?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on RCA–DCA that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.