SMF TSA Wait Times
How long the security line at Sacramento International Airport is right now, how busy it gets today hour by hour, the best time to go and how early to arrive. Refreshed every 15 minutes.
- Quietest today
- 12 PM–2 PM 10–25 min
- Busiest today
- 7 AM–9 AM 20–40 min
- Arrive
- 2 h / 3 h domestic / international
Modeled from FAA passenger volumes, TSA's daily screening numbers, time of day and current airport conditions; refreshed every 15 minutes, not a checkpoint sensor. How we estimate
How busy is SMF security right now?
Right now the standard security line at Sacramento International Airport is moderate: about 15–30 min (updated 3:47 PM PDT). In the next 12 hours it should peak around 4 PM (15–35 min) and be lightest around 12 AM (5–15 min).
- Airport operationsNormal
- DelaysNo FAA delay programs
- Weather nowSunny, 68°F
Next 12 hours
Show as table
| Hour | Estimated wait | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 3 PM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 4 PM | 15–35 min | Moderate |
| 5 PM | 15–35 min | Moderate |
| 6 PM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 7 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 8 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 9 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 10 PM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 11 PM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 12 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 1 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 2 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
SMF TSA wait times today, hour by hour
Estimated standard-lane wait for each hour of a typical Monday at Sacramento, with the quietest and busiest windows marked. The SMF TSA lines usually build before the first departure bank and again in the late afternoon.
Show as table
| Hour | Estimated wait | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 4 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 5 AM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 6 AM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 7 AM | 20–35 min | Moderate |
| 8 AM | 20–40 min | Moderate |
| 9 AM | 15–35 min | Moderate |
| 10 AM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 11 AM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 12 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 1 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 2 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 3 PM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 4 PM | 15–35 min | Moderate |
| 5 PM | 15–35 min | Moderate |
| 6 PM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 7 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 8 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 9 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 10 PM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 11 PM | 5–20 min | Short |
TSA screened 2,781,103 travelers nationwide on October 22, 3% above a typical Thursday. National volume is one of the inputs to every estimate on this page.
Best time to go through TSA at SMF
The quickest time to get through security at SMF on a typical Friday is 12 PM–2 PM (10–25 min). Lines are longest 7 AM–9 AM (20–40 min), when the first departure bank and business travelers hit the checkpoints. Across the week, Friday is usually the busiest day at SMF security and Saturday the quietest.
Holiday periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas–New Year, July 4th, Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends) push every hour higher; the estimate above already includes that when it applies.
| Day | 5a | 7a | 9a | 11a | 1p | 3p | 5p | 7p | 9p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 15 | 27 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 23 | 16 | 13 |
| Tue | 14 | 24 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 12 |
| Wed | 14 | 24 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 12 |
| Thu | 15 | 26 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 12 |
| Fri · today | 16 | 28 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 24 | 17 | 13 |
| Sat | 13 | 23 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 11 |
| Sun | 16 | 28 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 13 |
≤20 short21–30 moderate31+ long · each column covers two hours
TSA PreCheck at SMF
TSA PreCheck lanes at Sacramento International Airport are usually much shorter than the standard line: TSA reports that the large majority of PreCheck travelers wait under 10 minutes, and you keep shoes, belts, light jackets and laptops in place. Lanes can open later and close earlier than the main checkpoint, so if you fly very early or late, plan for the standard wait above. Check the official SMF website for which checkpoints have PreCheck and CLEAR lanes.
CLEAR and Global Entry
CLEAR speeds up the ID check and walks you to the front of the screening line where it operates; you still go through screening. Global Entry includes PreCheck for eligible members and speeds up re-entry from international trips.
How early to get to SMF
Enter your flight time to see when to be at Sacramento and when to leave home, using today's estimated security wait for the hour you will be in line.
| Trip | Arrive before departure |
|---|---|
| Domestic, carry-on only | 1 h 30 min – 2 h |
| Domestic, checked bag | 2 h |
| International | 3 h |
| Flying 7 AM–9 AM | add 15–30 min |
TSA wait times at airports near SMF
Current security estimate at the closest alternatives.
SMF TSA wait times: FAQ
How long is the TSA line at SMF right now?
The current estimate for the standard security lane at Sacramento International Airport is 15–30 min (updated 3:47 PM PDT). It refreshes every 15 minutes; follow airport signs and staff if the line in front of you looks different.
How busy is SMF airport today?
Today (Friday) SMF security is expected to be busiest 7 AM–9 AM (20–40 min) and quietest 12 PM–2 PM (10–25 min).
What time does TSA open at SMF?
Security checkpoints at Sacramento International Airport open before the first morning departures, which at most U.S. airports means around 4–5 AM (earlier at some large hubs). Hours differ by checkpoint and terminal, so for a very early flight confirm on the official SMF website.
Is TSA PreCheck open at SMF?
PreCheck lanes usually run during the main morning-to-evening operating hours but can open later and close earlier than standard lanes, and not every checkpoint has one. Outside those hours PreCheck travelers are screened in the standard lane, so plan for the standard wait.
How early should I get to SMF?
Airlines and TSA recommend 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one. At the busiest hour today the SMF security line alone can reach 40 minutes; use the calculator on this page for your flight time.
Are these live SMF TSA wait times?
They are modeled estimates refreshed every 15 minutes, not a camera or sensor count at the checkpoint. They combine FAA passenger volume, TSA's daily national screening numbers, the hour, weekday, holiday periods and current FAA and weather conditions.