Data Reveals the Longest and Shortest US Airport Walks in 2025

Airports are only getting bigger. With record-breaking travel numbers and ongoing expansions to accommodate growing crowds, the walking distance from the airport entrance to your gate isn’t getting any shorter.

Major hubs continue to add new concourses, longer terminals, and sprawling layouts to keep up with demand. And while that means more flights and better amenities, it also means more walking—or wheeling—before you even take off.

So just how far will you trek from the airport entrance to your gate?

The team at KURU Footwear analyzed the longest and shortest airport walks in the US, measuring the distance from entrance to gate, so you know what to expect before your next flight. Plus, we’ve got a few tips to help you navigate those terminal treks with ease.

Before you book your next flight, see which airports will put your walking endurance to the test—and which will get you to your gate in record time.

Foot Traffic Findings

Ever feel like you’ve walked a mile before even boarding your flight? At some airports with the longest walks, that’s not an exaggeration.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) once again claims the longest airport walk in the U.S., holding its 2024 position with a 1.50-mile trek from the entrance to the farthest gate. Meanwhile, Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) now takes the #1 spot for the shortest walk at just 0.03 miles.

Due to their sheer size and the number of connecting flights, major hubs, such as DFW or Denver International Airport, require some of the longest walks. While many airports offer trams, moving sidewalks, and wheelchair services, knowing an airport’s accessibility options ahead of time can make all the difference on your next travel day.

Top 5: Longest Airport Walks In 2025

1. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) - Texas

• Walking distance: 1.50 miles
• Land Size: Approximately 26.9 square miles
• Terminals/Gates: Five terminals with a total of 171 gates

2. Denver International Airport (DEN) - Colorado

• Walking distance: 1.14 miles
• Land Size: Approximately 52.4 square miles
• Terminals/Gates: One main terminal with three concourses, totaling 143 gates

3. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) - Virginia

• Walking distance: 0.97 miles
• Land Size: Approximately 20.3 square miles
• Terminals/Gates: One main terminal with two concourses and a total of 123 gates

4. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) - Pennsylvania

• Walking distance: 0.86 miles
• Land Size: Approximately 15.6 square miles
• Terminals/Gates: A single terminal with four concourses and 75 gates

5. Orlando International Airport (MCO) - Florida

• Walking distance: 0.70 miles
• Land Size: Approximately 18.1 square miles
• Terminals/Gates: Two main terminals with a combined total of 129 gates

Top 5: Shortest Airport Walks In 2025

1. Trenton–Mercer Airport (TTN) - New Jersey

• Walking distance: 0.03 miles
• Land Size: Approximately 2.1 square miles
• Terminals/Gates: One terminal with four gates

2. Paine Field (PAE) - Washington

• Walking distance: 0.04 miles
• Land Size: Approximately 2.05 square miles
• Terminals/Gates: One terminal with two gates

3. Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) - Connecticut

• Walking distance: 0.05 miles
• Land Size: Approximately 0.62 square miles
• Terminals/Gates: One terminal with two gates

4. Lihue Airport (LIH) - Hawaii

• Walking distance: 0.06 miles
• Land Size: Approximately 1.43 square miles
• Terminals/Gates: One terminal with 10 gates

5. Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) - Pennsylvania

• Walking distance: 0.12 miles
• Land Size: Approximately 1.06 square miles
• Terminals/Gates: One terminal with 12 gates

Airport Navigation Tips

Before you take off, keep these travel tips in mind to make walking through the airport a little smoother:

• Be Strategic With Restroom Stops. The closest bathroom to a busy airport gate is often the most crowded. If you can hold off a few extra minutes, heading to the next restroom down the concourse can save you from a long wait.
• Plan Ahead for Assistance. Need a wheelchair, an escort between terminals, or other accessibility services? Don’t wait until the last minute—many airports offer assistance, but availability can be limited. Call ahead to make sure you or a loved one gets the support needed for a stress-free layover or connection.
• Speed Through Security. The TSA line moves faster when you’re prepared. Keep laptops and tablets easy to remove from your luggage, pack liquids in 3.4 oz bottles inside a clear quart-sized bag, and wear socks since you’ll likely need to remove your shoes. Having your ID and boarding pass ready will also help you sail through.
• Look Up for Directions. Navigating a big airport can be overwhelming, but signage is your best friend. Look above for terminal and baggage claim directions, and check the departure screens near your gate for up-to-date flight info. Staying alert helps avoid unnecessary backtracking.
• Pack Smart for Easy Access. Most airlines allow just one carry-on and a personal item. Save yourself the hassle by keeping essentials—phone, wallet, passport, medications, snacks, and earbuds—in your smaller bag. Stowing everything else in the overhead bin frees up legroom and keeps your essentials within reach.
• Choose Supportive Shoes. It’s easy to underestimate how much walking you’ll do before takeoff. With long terminals, unexpected gate changes, and time to kill during a layover, you could be on your feet for miles. The right footwear makes all the difference in keeping your journey as comfortable as possible.

Methodology

To gather this data, the team at KURU Footwear first identified the 10 largest and 10 smallest airports in the U.S. by land area. We then analyzed Google Maps to measure the walking distance from the main airport entrance to the farthest airport gate.

To ensure the findings focused on widely used airports, we refined the list to the top 5 longest and top 5 shortest airport walks, only including airports located within 60 miles of a major metropolitan area—excluding smaller regional and rural airports.

About Us

At KURU, we’re on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve sold over 2 million pairs and received more than 38,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoes helped them with foot pain conditions (such as plantar fasciitis) and got them back to doing what they love.

For all media inquiries, please contact us at pr@kurufootwear.com.