Columbus, Ohio to Los Angeles: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1973.7 miles 3176.3 km · straight line
2244.9 miles actual route 3612.8 km · driving distance
39h 33min estimated drive time
$216 - $266 estimated fuel cost
~4h 28min flight time
269° W bearing direction

How far is Columbus, Ohio from Los Angeles?

The distance from Columbus, Ohio to Los Angeles is 1973.7 miles (3176.3 km) as the crow flies. Los Angeles is located W of Columbus, Ohio. By car, the driving distance is approximately 2244.9 miles, taking about 39h 33min. A direct flight would take roughly 4h 28min. Both are located in United States — Columbus, Ohio in Ohio and Los Angeles in California.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Columbus, Ohio and Los Angeles. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Columbus, Ohio to Los Angeles

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 39h 33min $216 - $266 Flexible stops
Fly ~4h 28min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~47h 28min $180–$337* Budget
Train ~51h 25min $269–$786* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Columbus, Ohio & Los Angeles

Quick Facts

Columbus, Ohio
39.96°N, 83.00°W
America/New_York
275m elevation
Los Angeles
34.05°N, 118.24°W
America/Los_Angeles
71m elevation
Explore more routes from Los Angeles

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 658 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 164 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 12.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM