At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), travelers wait at security checkpoints before boarding. Most of the time, lines move quickly. During busy times, like early morning or late afternoon, wait times can be longer. Arriving early helps make your travel smooth and stress-free.
| Time of Day | Typical Wait Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early morning (5–8 AM) | 10–25 minutes | Busy with many travelers |
| Mid-morning (9–11 AM) | 5–12 minutes | Often shorter lines |
| Afternoon (12–4 PM) | 5–15 minutes | Can be busier at peak hours |
| Late evening (5–9 PM) | 5–18 minutes | Sometimes longer during evening travel |
| Overnight / Quiet | 0–5 minutes | Few travelers at late night |
| Flight Type | Recommended Arrival Before Departure | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flights | About 2 hours | Time for check-in, security, and walking to gate |
| Domestic with TSA PreCheck | About 1 hour 30 minutes | PreCheck lines move faster |
| International flights | About 3 hours | Includes passport control and security |
| Busy periods (holidays / rush hours) | Add 30–60 minutes | More travelers mean longer lines |
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