Chicago Midway (MDW) to Washington National (DCA) is 599 miles in a straight line, about 1h 42m gate to gate. Your flight is handed between 7 air traffic control facilities along the way.
Who handles your flight
Every airliner is passed from one air traffic control facility to the next. On the most direct path, these are the teams that guide you, in order. Weather and traffic can send a flight through other centers, so your actual flight may differ a little.
- MDWTowerChicago Midway Tower (MDW)Clears you for takeoffThank them →
- C90TRACONChicago TRACON (C90)Guides the climb outThank them →
- ZAUCenterChicago ARTCC (ZAU)Takes over at cruising altitudeThank them →
- ZOBCenterCleveland ARTCC (ZOB)Keeps you separated en routeThank them →
- ZDCCenterWashington ARTCC (ZDC)Starts your descentThank them →
- PCTTRACONPotomac TRACON (PCT)Lines you up for the approachThank them →
- DCATowerReagan National Tower (DCA)Clears you to landThank them →
Flying the other way
Washington National (DCA) to Chicago Midway (MDW)
DCA → PCT → ZDC → ZOB → ZAU → C90 → MDW
About the airports
Chicago Midway International Airport
Chicago, IL
Codes: MDW · KMDW
Time zone: Central
Control tower: Chicago Midway Tower (MDW)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Washington, DC
Codes: DCA · KDCA
Time zone: Eastern
Control tower: Reagan National Tower (DCA)
More routes
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Atlanta (ATL)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Denver (DEN)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Los Angeles (LAX)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to New York JFK (JFK)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Las Vegas (LAS)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Orlando (MCO)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Miami (MIA)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Charlotte (CLT)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Seattle (SEA)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Phoenix (PHX)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Newark (EWR)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to San Francisco (SFO)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Houston (IAH)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Boston (BOS)
- Chicago Midway (MDW) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
How we figure this out
Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, the shortest path over the curved Earth. Flight time assumes an average airliner speed of about 500 mph plus about 30 minutes for taxi, takeoff and landing. The list of facilities follows the same path, using each airport's tower and approach control and the FAA's en route center boundaries.
Say thanks to the controllers who got you there. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and every post is checked before it goes up.
Common questions
How long is the flight from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Washington National (DCA)?
About 1h 42m gate to gate for the 599-mile trip. Flying east, you often pick up a tailwind, so it can be a little shorter.
How far is Chicago Midway (MDW) from Washington National (DCA)?
599 miles (521 nautical miles, 964 km) in a straight line. The path your flight actually takes is usually a little longer.
Which air traffic controllers handle a flight from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Washington National (DCA)?
Usually 7 facilities: Chicago Midway Tower (MDW), Chicago TRACON (C90), Chicago ARTCC (ZAU), Cleveland ARTCC (ZOB), Washington ARTCC (ZDC), Potomac TRACON (PCT) and Reagan National Tower (DCA). You can thank each one on its own wall at Thank ATC.
Is there a time change between Chicago Midway (MDW) and Washington National (DCA)?
Yes. Washington National (DCA) is 1 hour ahead of Chicago Midway (MDW).