When to Leave for Airport Calculator
Stop guessing and start knowing. Enter your flight details below and get a personalized departure time based on real-time traffic, TSA wait times, and 15+ other factors.
Your Travel Recommendation
How the Calculator Works
Enter Your Flight
Tell us your departure and arrival airports, plus your flight date.
Share Your Location
We calculate real-time drive time from your exact location to the airport.
Get Your Timeline
Receive a personalized departure time based on 15+ factors.
What We Factor In
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I leave for the airport?
The standard recommendation is 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. However, the optimal time varies based on your specific situation: traffic from your location, current TSA wait times at your airport, whether you have TSA PreCheck, if you're checking bags, and peak travel times. Our calculator factors in all 15+ variables to give you a personalized departure time.
How does the when-to-leave calculator work?
Our calculator uses real-time data to determine your optimal departure time. It factors in your flight's departure time, real-time traffic from your location using Google Maps, current TSA security wait times, whether you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, if you're checking bags, peak travel days and times, airport size and terminal walking distances, and more.
Does the calculator use real-time traffic data?
Yes! We use Google Maps real-time traffic data to calculate your drive time to the airport. This means if there's a traffic jam or accident on your route, our calculator will account for it and adjust your recommended departure time accordingly.
Is 90 minutes enough time at the airport?
90 minutes can be enough if you have TSA PreCheck, carry-on only, know the airport well, and are flying during off-peak hours. However, it's risky for most travelers. Our calculator will tell you if 90 minutes is realistic for your specific situation or if you should leave earlier.
What factors affect when I should leave for the airport?
The main factors are: distance and traffic to the airport, TSA security wait times (which vary by time of day), TSA PreCheck or CLEAR status, checked bags vs carry-on only, domestic vs international flight, peak travel days (Fridays, Sundays, holidays), airport familiarity, traveling with kids or elderly, parking or rental car return needs, and how critical it is that you make this flight.
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