The 757-200's maximum range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,220 km; 4,490 mi), which was over one-and-a-half times the 727's, allowed airlines to use the aircraft on longer nonstop routes.

The Boeing 757-200, often called the "hot rod" of the skies, has a maximum range of approximately 3,900 to 4,100 nautical miles (7,222 to 7,593 km) when equipped with winglets and flying with a standard passenger load. This impressive range allowed it to pioneer "long-and-thin" trans-Atlantic routes, connecting smaller East Coast cities like Pittsburgh or Raleigh-Durham directly to European hubs like London or Paris—missions that were previously only possible for much larger, four-engine widebody jets. The aircraft's high power-to-weight ratio also allows it to take off from short runways or "high and hot" airports like Mexico City and still fly long distances. While newer aircraft like the Airbus A321LR have since surpassed this range, the 757 remains a legendary narrow-body jet because of its unique ability to fly for over 9 hours straight. One of the longest routes ever recorded for the type was a special service from Mexico City to Buenos Aires, covering nearly 4,000 nautical miles, pushing the airframe to the absolute edge of its endurance.