Chicago Midway · MDW
MDW TSA Security Wait Times 2026 — By Day & Hour
Typical security wait times at Chicago Midway International Airport with checkpoint locations, heatmap, interactive lookup, and tips for getting through faster.
Estimated wait right now
~2 min
- Average~11 min
- QuietestTuesday around 11 PM
- BusiestSunday around 6 AM
MDW TSA Checkpoint Locations
- Main Terminal (Concourses A, B, C): Central Checkpoint — TSA PreCheck available
Look Up MDW Wait Times for Any Day & Time
MDW TSA Wait Time Heatmap — Minutes by Day & Hour
Standard-lane estimates in minutes. <5 5–11 12–21 22+
| Hour | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 AM | 8 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 5 AM | 18 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 |
| 6 AM | 26 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 23 | 21 | 21 |
| 7 AM | 21 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 15 | 17 |
| 8 AM | 15 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 13 |
| 9 AM | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 11 |
| 10 AM | 9 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 |
| 11 AM | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 10 |
| 12 PM | 13 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 11 |
| 1 PM | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 9 |
| 2 PM | 11 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 10 |
| 3 PM | 12 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 14 |
| 4 PM | 17 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 15 |
| 5 PM | 19 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
| 6 PM | 17 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 7 PM | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 11 |
| 8 PM | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| 9 PM | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 6 |
| 10 PM | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| 11 PM | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
How to Get Through MDW Security Faster
- Travel at off-peak hours. The quietest window at MDW is tuesday around 11 pm. Avoid sunday around 6 am if possible.
- Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. PreCheck waits at MDW are typically a fraction of standard. CLEAR skips the ID-check line entirely.
- Pack smart. Check our TSA Packing Guide to avoid delays from prohibited items. Have laptops and liquids easily accessible.
- Use mobile boarding passes and have your ID ready before reaching the checkpoint. This alone can save 2–5 minutes.
- Check live conditions on the MyTSA app ↗ and FAA delay map ↗.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical TSA wait times at MDW?
Standard screening at Chicago Midway International Airport averages ~11 minutes, ranging from a few minutes to 26+ at peak. PreCheck is usually much faster.
Best time to go through security at MDW?
The shortest lines are tuesday around 11 pm. Early mornings before the first departures and late evenings are generally calmest.
When is MDW security busiest?
The busiest window is sunday around 6 am, with waits around 26 minutes. Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings are heavy across most hubs.
Does MDW have TSA PreCheck?
Yes. Chicago Midway International Airport has PreCheck lanes. Enrolled travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Does MDW have CLEAR?
Most major U.S. airports including MDW offer CLEAR expedited identity verification. CLEAR members skip to the front of the document-check line, then proceed through standard or PreCheck physical screening.
How accurate are these MDW wait times?
These are modeled estimates based on historical patterns — a planning guide, not live data. Check the MyTSA app for day-of conditions.