Detroit to Washington (DTW–DCA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
DTW–DCA is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines lead the route. The flight covers 405 miles in approximately 1h 28m. Beyond nonstop, 91 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA American Airlines | 46 | CR7, CR9, E75 | 1h41-1h49 | Oneworld | – | |
| DL Delta Air Lines Also: AF, AM, KE, VS, WS | 36 | 319, 320, E75 | 1h28-1h34 | SkyTeam | AF, AM, KE, VS, WS |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Washington from Detroit
| Metric | DTW→DCA | LAN→DCA | CLE→DCA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from DTW | – | 74 mi | 95 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Weekly flights | 142 | 12 | 72 |
| Flight time | 1h 28m | 1h 49m | 1h 17m |
| Departure OTP | 69% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
DTW: EDT · DCA: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Detroit, it's 6:00 PM in Washington.
There is no rail link to DTW; the airport is 18 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. SMART bus Route 261 provides a slow connection ($2), but ride-share or car is standard for most travelers. Ride-shares from downtown cost $30–45.Driving is the primary mode: I-94 and I-275 are the main expressways. Economy parking is well-organized with frequent shuttles. For Windsor, Ontario arrivals, the airport connects via I-75 and the Ambassador Bridge or DRIC tunnel.
The Metro station is inside Terminal B/C with covered walkway access; Terminal A requires a short outdoor walk or shuttle. Yellow and Blue line trains run to downtown DC in 15–25 minutes for $2.25–$3.85.
Taxis and Uber/Lyft operate from designated pick-up zones outside each terminal; fares to downtown run $15–30. DCA serves the National Mall area and is well-positioned for the U.S. Capitol, Pentagon, and downtown offices. International arrivals clear customs at DCA only for pre-cleared flights; most international traffic uses IAD (Dulles). Rental cars are in a consolidated facility accessible by shuttle.
Humid subtropical climate. Summers (June–August) are hot and very humid at 29–34°C with frequent afternoon thunderstorms causing ground stops and airspace flow programs. The summer storm season is the primary operational disruption risk at DCA. Spring and autumn are transitional with variable conditions and occasional severe thunderstorm outbreaks.
Winters (December–February) bring cold temperatures (−2 to 7°C) with occasional snowstorms that disproportionately affect the DC area due to limited snow-removal infrastructure. Even moderate snowfall (5–10 cm) can shut regional airports for hours. Pack layers for winter; the region's storm response is notoriously inconsistent.
DTW–DCA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from DTW to DCA
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are connected by nonstop service from American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. With 142 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
DTW to DCA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from DTW to DCA ranges from 1 hours 28 minutes to 1 hours 49 minutes. The route covers a distance of 405 miles (651 km). There are approximately 142 weekly flights outbound and 145 return, totaling 287 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
91 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 3 hours via BWI. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Lansing (LAN), Cleveland (CLE) and Grand Rapids (GRR).