Denver’s airport named one of the most Stressful in U.S., ranking behind only Chicago and New York
Apr 16, 2026, 4:08 PM
If you get stressed out every time you travel through Denver International Airport, you’re definitely not alone…
DIA is the fourth-most stressful airport in the United States, trailing only Chicago O’Hare and three New York-area hubs, according to a new study that analyzed the nation’s busiest air terminals.
Ground transportation platform Mozio gave DEN a stress score of 7.02 out of 10 in its 2026 ranking of the 20 busiest U.S. airports by passenger traffic. The score places Denver’s airport — already one of the country’s largest by land area and among its busiest by passenger volume — in the top tier for travel-related frustration.
The study evaluated airports on three factors: the percentage of flights departing within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, daily parking costs and how long it takes to reach the city center. For travelers, DIA’s biggest liability is one locals know well: distance. The airport sits roughly 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver, one of the longest airport-to-city commutes among major U.S. hubs.
Parking at the airport adds to the burden. On-airport options range from $10 per day at economy shuttle lots to $35 per day in the terminal garages and $45 for premium reserved spaces, according to the airport’s published 2026 rates. DIA raised its parking rates in May 2025.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport claimed the top spot as the nation’s most stressful, earning a score of 8.42 out of 10. Only 74.6 percent of its flights depart within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, parking runs $43 per day and the commute to the city center averages an hour.
The full ranking of the most stressful airports in the study:
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (8.42)
- LaGuardia Airport (7.54)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport — tie (7.19)
- Denver International Airport (7.02)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport — tie (5.44)
- Los Angeles International Airport (5.26)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Miami International Airport — tie (4.91)
For Denver travelers looking to lower their stress, the RTD A-Line commuter rail connects Union Station downtown to the airport in about 37 minutes and can help avoid both parking fees and the unpredictable drive along Peña Boulevard.
