DTW TSA Wait Times — Detroit Metro
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Live security wait times, updated every 10 minutes.
⚡ Fastest: Evans · 10 min
GateWaitTimes independently measures security waits at DTW, taking a reading every ten minutes around the clock. We have recorded 24,847 readings here since August 25, 2026, drawn from official TSA, airport, and FAA feeds.
Learn more about our data credibility & sources →DTW TSA Wait Times by Hour
This chart shows the average security wait at DTW for every hour of the day, so a taller bar means the line is usually longer at that time. The numbers come from our own readings, which we take every ten minutes around the clock.
The current wait time at DTW is 11 minutes, which is about average for a Friday, when the line usually runs around 9 minutes.
When Should You Leave?
Tap to pick your flight’s departure time
Wait by Checkpoint
| Checkpoint | Wait |
|---|---|
| Evans | 10 min |
| McNamara | 11 min |
Wait Times by Terminal at DTW
Jump to live security waits for a specific terminal:
TSA PreCheck at Detroit Metro
PreCheck lane status not reported right now
The TSA PreCheck lane at Detroit Metro is usually the fastest way through security. Travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids packed, so the lane keeps moving even when the standard line backs up. At an airport this size, most major checkpoints run a PreCheck lane for much of the day, though hours still vary by checkpoint.
The status above comes from the same feed as the wait time on this page. GateWaitTimes polls it every 10 minutes, around the clock. If the lane shows closed, standard screening is still open; recheck shortly before you leave in case staffing changes.
How Early Should You Arrive at DTW?
These are general guidelines for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Use the calculator above for a departure time tuned to the current wait, your drive, and whether you have PreCheck. Add time on peak travel mornings, around holidays, and if you're checking a bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the security line at Detroit Metro (DTW) right now?
As of the latest measurement, the standard security wait at DTW is about 11 minutes. GateWaitTimes re-measures every 10 minutes, so check the live figure at the top of this page.
How early should I arrive at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?
For a large airport, arrive about 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Add time during holiday peaks and early-morning banks.
Does DTW have TSA PreCheck?
Most US airports of this size offer TSA PreCheck lanes at their main checkpoints, though lane hours vary by checkpoint and time of day. Check the checkpoint status on this page for which lanes are reporting, and the TSA site for official PreCheck lane hours.
How often is this wait-time data updated?
GateWaitTimes polls TSA wait-time feeds, FAA airport status, and National Weather Service forecasts every 10 minutes, around the clock, and records every reading.
Is TSA PreCheck open at DTW right now?
PreCheck lane status at DTW is not being reported at this moment. GateWaitTimes checks every 10 minutes and shows lane status as soon as it is published.
About Security at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) serves Detroit, MI. It is a large airport with steady passenger volume through most of the day, so the standard lane rarely empties out completely, which shapes how the security line at Detroit Metro behaves: expect the longest waits when several departures cluster in the same hour, and much shorter ones in between.
If you hold TSA PreCheck, confirm lane status on arrival. PreCheck lanes are not staffed at every hour, particularly early in the morning and late in the evening.
The number above is a live reading for the standard lane, refreshed every few minutes. Security wait times can change quickly at DTW, so recheck this page shortly before you leave for the airport.
Fun Facts About Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- The McNamara Terminal's underground walkway dazzles travelers with a color-changing light-and-sound tunnel.
- Inside the same terminal a choreographed water fountain shoots leaping streams into the air.
- An elevated tram whisks passengers along the nearly mile-long McNamara concourse.