Owais Crawford
Madison, Wisconsin, has six airports, both public and private. The closest major airport to Madison, Wisconsin, is Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA), also known as Truax Field. It is a civil-military airport located 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) northeast of downtown Madison. In February 2025, DCRA announced that it would be formally applying for international airport status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA) |
| Other Names | Truax Field, MSN Airport |
| Location | 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) northeast of downtown Madison, Wisconsin |
| Category | Small-hub primary commercial service facility |
| Ranking | Second busiest of eight commercial airports in Wisconsin in terms of passengers served |
| Size | 3,500 acres (1,416 ha) |
| Elevation | 887 feet (270 m) above mean sea level |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Runway Sizes | 9,006 by 150 feet (2,745 x 46 m); 7,200 by 150 feet (2,195 x 46 m); 5,846 by 150 feet (1,782 x 46 m) |
| Fixed-base Operator (FBO) | Wisconsin Aviation |
| Number of Aircrafts (as of August 2024) | 163 |
| Number of Gates | 16 |
| Amenities | Coffee Shop, Gift Shop, Restaurants, Travel Markets, WiFi |
| Transport to Airport | Metro Transit Route D2 |
| Parking | Both short and long-term parking available |
Explore related products
$17.62 $24.95
What You'll Learn
Dane County Regional Airport
The airport covers 3,500 acres, with a field elevation of 887 feet above mean sea level. It has three concrete runways, the longest of which is 9,006 feet. In August 2024, there were 163 aircraft based at the airport, including 92 single-engine planes, 28 jets, and 35 military aircraft. The terminal has 16 gates, with pre-security amenities including a coffee shop and gift shop, and post-security amenities including restaurants, coffee shops, and travel markets.
The airport has a long history, with the City of Madison purchasing the land for the airport in 1927. It was previously used as a cabbage patch for a nearby sauerkraut factory. Construction of the runways and an airplane hangar began in 1936. During World War II, the airport was used by the Army Air Corps Eastern Technical Training Center, and it later became home to the Wisconsin Air National Guard. The airport has undergone several expansions over the years, including a $68 million expansion in 2006 that doubled the size of the terminal and added new amenities.
The airport can be accessed via Metro Transit Route D2, which offers direct service to downtown Madison and other points of interest. Both short and long-term parking options are available.
Rome's FCO Airport: A Traveler's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Madison Municipal Airport
Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA), also known as Truax Field, is the airport serving Madison, Wisconsin. It is located 6 nautical miles (11 km or 6.9 mi) northeast of downtown Madison. In February 2025, the airport announced that it would be applying for international airport status. DCRA covers 3,500 acres (1,416 ha) of land and has a field elevation of 887 feet (270 m) above sea level.
The airport has three concrete runways: the primary runway 18/36 is 9,006 by 150 feet (2,745 x 46 m); 3/21 is 7,200 by 150 feet (2,195 x 46 m); and 14/32 is 5,846 by 150 feet (1,782 x 46 m). Wisconsin Aviation is the fixed-base operator (FBO) at the airport, leasing the assets of the former FBOs Four Lakes Aviation and Coldstream Aviation since 1994. As of August 2024, there were 163 aircraft based at DCRA, including 92 single-engine, 7 multi-engine, 28 jet, 1 helicopter, and 35 military aircraft.
The terminal at DCRA has 16 gates across one concourse. Passengers can enjoy various amenities, including a coffee shop and a gift shop before security, and two restaurants, a coffee shop, and three travel markets after security. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options in a large parking structure and adjacent lots. Metro Transit serves DCRA via Route D2, providing direct service to downtown Madison every 30 minutes.
Historically, the land where the airport stands today was purchased by the City of Madison in 1927 for $35,380. It was previously a cabbage patch for a nearby sauerkraut factory. In 1936, the city council voted to accept a Works Progress Administration grant for the construction of four runways and an airplane hangar. During World War II, the airport was used by the Army Air Corps Eastern Technical Training Center for training radio operators, mechanics, and radar and control tower operations.
There is also a reference to a Madison Municipal Airport in Indiana, which is owned by the city of Madison, Indiana.
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport: Size and Significance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA) is the airport for Madison, Wisconsin. It is located 6 nautical miles (11 km or 6.9 mi) northeast of downtown Madison.
Now, as requested, here is some detailed information about Chicago O'Hare International Airport, which is not the airport for Madison, Wisconsin, but is an option for those travelling to UW-Madison.
The airport offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the globe, including North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region. O'Hare became famous during the jet age, holding the distinction as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. It is still one of the busiest airports in the world, with 919,704 aircraft movements in 2019, averaging 2,520 per day.
The airport is easily accessible by road, with Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway) leading directly to it. Other options include the airport shuttle, bus, Chicago "L", or taxis.
History
O'Hare International Airport was originally an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during World War II. The site was known as Orchard Place, previously a small German-American farming community. The airport began to expand in 1955, and by 1959, it had grown to 7,200 acres, featuring new hangars, terminals, parking, and other facilities. The expressway link to downtown Chicago (Kennedy Expressway) was completed in 1960, and new terminals were opened in 1962.
Amenities
The airport has a range of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, travel markets, an art court, business and family lounges, and various retail vendors. There are also parking options available, with recent expansions in 2014.
Discovering SMF: Unveiling the Airport's Unique Code and Location
You may want to see also
Explore related products
UW-Madison transport options
Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA), also known as Truax Field, is the airport for Madison, Wisconsin. It is located 11 km (6.9 mi) northeast of downtown Madison.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is located in the city of Madison, which is considered a premier location for biking. The campus has more than 15,000 bike parking stalls, and Madison and Wisconsin laws recognize bicycles as vehicles, giving them the right to use most roadways. Cyclists are required to comply with all traffic signals and laws, and to use a white front headlight and a red rear reflector at night.
UW students are eligible for the Transportation Services bus pass, which provides unlimited, free access to all city routes. Campus bus routes 80, 81, 82, and 84 are fare-free and can be used by anyone, including students and visitors. All campus buses are capable of transporting wheelchairs and other mobility equipment, and the Accessible Circulator Shuttle provides supplemental service for those with mobility limitations.
For those arriving on campus by car, student parking on campus is rarely granted and few students qualify for permits. Priority is given to students who are commuting from outside of Madison, and temporary parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For those arriving by air, Metro Transit serves the airport via Route D2, which offers direct service every 30 minutes to the UW Campus. Van Galder also offers daily buses between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and UW-Madison, although tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Airports in East Timor: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
History of Madison airports
Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA), also known as Truax Field, is the primary airport serving Madison, Wisconsin. It is located 6.9 miles northeast of downtown Madison. In terms of passenger traffic, it is the second busiest of eight commercial airports in Wisconsin, after Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
The history of Madison's airports dates back to the early 20th century. In 1927, the City of Madison purchased 290 acres of land for $35,380. This land, previously a cabbage patch for a nearby sauerkraut factory, would become the future site of Dane County Regional Airport. In January 1936, the Madison City Council voted to accept a Works Progress Administration grant for constructing four runways and an airplane hangar. The airport was renamed Truax Field in September 1938 when Barnstormer Howard Morey of Chicago, Edgar Quinn, and J.J. McMannamy organised the Madison Airways Corporation.
During World War II, Truax Field served as a U.S. Army Air Corps airfield, hosting the Army Air Corps Eastern Technical Training Centre. The centre trained radio operators and mechanics, later expanding its curriculum to include radar operations, control tower operations, and other communications fields for the Army Airways Communication Service. In 1943, a unit was established to train personnel on the B-29 Superfortress communications equipment. The airfield's mission changed on September 17, 1945, and it was closed as an active Army Air Field (AAF) on November 30, 1945.
After the war, the airfield was conveyed to local civil authorities, becoming the Madison Municipal Airport. It became the home of the 1st Battalion 147th Aviation Regiment, which operates the UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopter. The Wisconsin Air National Guard and its 115th Fighter Wing, an Air National Guard fighter wing, are also based at the airport.
Over the years, Dane County Regional Airport has undergone significant expansions and improvements. In 1966, a new 31,000-square-foot terminal building opened, accommodating the first scheduled jets, the Northwest Orient 727s. A major expansion project in 1986 tripled the terminal's size, adding a second-level concourse with six boarding bridges. Further expansions in 2006 and beyond enhanced the terminal's amenities, parking options, and overall capacity.
Airport Transportation: Playa Mujeres' Convenient Travel Option
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA), also known as Truax Field, is the closest airport to Madison, Wisconsin. It is 6 miles from the centre of Madison.
Metro Transit offers a direct service to the airport from Madison every 30 minutes via Route D2.
Dane County Regional Airport has a coffee shop and a gift shop before security. After security, there are two restaurants, another coffee shop, and three travel markets. The airport also offers both short and long-term parking.
There are six airports in Madison, Wisconsin, both public and private.
