GW: fly or drive?
Should you fly or drive to visit GW in Washington, District of Columbia? The nearest airport is DCA (Reagan National, 12 min from campus). Here's how to decide based on where you're coming from.
Fri, Sep 11 → Sun, Sep 13, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults
2 nights
2 adults
The short answer
It depends. Drive if you're under 4 hours away; fly if over 7. Between 4 and 7 hours, drive for two colleges (the car's flexibility wins) and fly for one (the time savings wins).
Nearest airport
Airport
DCA
Reagan National
Drive to campus
12 min
without traffic
Backup airport
IAD
Dulles
Fly-in program
No
standard visit
Drive times from major metros
| From | Distance | Drive time | Recommend |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 241 mi | 4 h 55 m | Either |
| Chicago, IL | 700 mi | 14 h 17 m | Fly |
| Atlanta, GA | 639 mi | 13 h 02 m | Either |
| Dallas, TX | 1394 mi | 28 h 27 m | Fly |
| Los Angeles, CA | 2706 mi | 55 h 14 m | Fly |
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Hotels in Washington
52 hotels within 3 mi of GW
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Flights to DCA
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