The U.S. Airports With the Longest Walking Distances

Few travel situations test your patience like realizing your flight departs from the farthest possible gate just as boarding starts. At the country’s largest airports, what looks like a simple stroll on the map can feel more like a 5K run with baggage in tow. Add in confusing layouts, hectic terminals, and tight connections, and even seasoned flyers may find themselves transforming from casual pedestrians to Olympic power walkers. Check out which U.S. airports have the longest walking distances — as measured from the main terminal entrance to the farthest gate — according to a recent study from Kuru Footwear. 

4. Orlando International Airport

Maximum walking distance: 0.7 miles

Handling more than 50 million annual passengers, Orlando International Airport is one of America’s busiest airports. The longest possible walking distance from the entrance to a gate is seven-tenths of a mile, but the number of passengers in transit can make it feel even longer. The airport’s 130-plus gates are spread across two main terminals, connected by a free shuttle bus that runs 24 hours a day. Fortunately, a series of moving walkways, escalators, a tram system, and wheelchair services help passengers reach their gates on time. 

If you’re the type of traveler who plans more time than necessary at the airport, there’s plenty to keep you occupied at MCO. Art exhibitions ranging from murals to floor mosaics decorate the terminals, while Movement Vault is an immersive experience transporting passengers into settings such as the deep sea or Mars. Plus, Orlando is one of the cheapest U.S. airports to fly from, which might make the thought of a long walk easier to swallow. 

3. Washington Dulles International Airport – Virginia

Maximum walking distance: 0.97 miles

Covering 20.3 square miles, Washington Dulles International Airport has one main terminal that’s split into five concourses, with 113 gates in total. The A and B gates at Dulles are connected to the main terminal building, while the midfield gates in the C and D concourses are connected via the AeroTrain. Within each concourse, you’ll also find moving walkways to cut down on the longest walking distances (which can be up to .97 miles).

Traveling with kids? Keep them entertained at the FunWay aviation-themed play area. There are also more than 100 retail and food outlets at Dulles, with many offering options for preorder. If you have a little extra time to spare before your flight, the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is adjacent to the terminal. This free Smithsonian museum has hands-on exhibits exploring the history of air and space travel. 

2. Denver International Airport – Colorado

Maximum walking distance: 1.14 miles

Covering over 50 square miles, Denver International Airport is the largest airport by area in the U.S. Passengers arrive and check in at the main Jeppessen Terminal and then travel via underground train to the gates, which are split into three concourses. The enormity of DIA, as locals call it, means that passengers sometimes have to walk over a mile to reach their departure point, but moving walkways and wheelchair services are available to help mitigate that. Trains also connect regularly with downtown Denver, making your arrival from the city a breeze. 

DIA is famous for its unique architecture, which symbolizes the Rocky Mountains, prairie wagons, and tepee tents. Each concourse has an outdoor deck with firepits, comfortable seating, and views of vast prairies and mountains in the distance. Passengers can also enjoy a virtual golf simulator and Colorado-themed art installations throughout the terminals. 

1. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport – Texas

Maximum walking distance: 1.5 miles

You’ll have to prepare for a potential 1.5-mile walk at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, which ranked as the third-busiest airport in the world in 2025. DFW’s 170-plus gates are spread across five terminals, which handle almost 90 million passengers each year. Luckily, travelers can take advantage of the Skylink monorail, which runs 24-hour service between terminals, with a maximum travel time of nine minutes. And if you make a wrong turn, volunteer ambassadors are on hand to guide you.

DFW also makes journeys interesting with an in-house art program and amenities such as yoga spaces and children’s play areas, plus Texas barbecue joints and a Coca-Cola museum. For longer layovers, head to the Founder’s Plaza, an outdoor area with picnic tables, telescopes, and excellent planespotting. 

U.S. Airports With the Shortest Walks

While big hubs like Denver and Dallas offer more flight options, many travelers prefer the ease of a smaller airport. The 2025 study from Kuru Footwear also determined the U.S. airports that had the shortest walking distances between the terminal entrance and the farthest gate. These were:

• Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), Pennsylvania — 0.12 miles
• Lihue Airport (LIH), Hawaii — 0.06 miles
• Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN), Connecticut — 0.05 miles
• Paine Field (PAE), Washington — 0.04 miles
• Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN), New Jersey — 0.03 miles

Check out the full study here.