Arrival.info
When should I leave to pick someone up at DCA?
DCA has no open Cell Phone Lot, so an early driver should use the terminal garages rather than orbit the compact airport roadways. Agree on Terminal 1 or 2 and a precise exterior location, use the current free 60-minute garage grace period while the passenger processes, and approach after direct contact.
DCA route identity
This page is for Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA). Airport identity and coverage come from the published Arrival airport catalog.
What the reviewed guidance says
- DCA recommends a specific exterior meeting point before the driver approaches.
- The airport currently provides up to 60 minutes free in Terminal Garages 1 and 2.
- The curb requires active passenger loading and cannot replace a waiting facility.
Mistakes to avoid
- Searching for a Cell Phone Lot that is currently closed.
- Circling Smith Boulevard while the passenger is at baggage claim.
- Approaching with no terminal or roadway-level confirmation.
DCA pickup questions
Where should I wait before a DCA passenger is ready?
Use Parking 1 for Terminal 1 or Parking 2 for Terminal 2 under the current 60-minute grace-period rules.
When should I leave the DCA garage?
Leave after the traveler sends their terminal, roadway level, and an exact outside meeting position.
Can I use a DCA Cell Phone Lot?
No. The airport states that the Cell Phone Lot is closed and points pickup drivers to the terminal garages.
Related DCA pickup guidance
DCA pickup zones
Connect the pickup_timing draft to the related pickup_zones guide.
DCA waiting areas
Connect the pickup_timing draft to the related waiting_areas guide.
Check a flight and plan the pickup
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Agent and direct-client curb estimate
How Arrival.info exposes a safe flight-to-curb estimate
Review the deterministic, read-only contract, freshness rules, explicit uncertainty, and no-mutation boundary.