Kansas City to Los Angeles: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1354.3 miles 2179.5 km · straight line
1618.4 miles actual route 2604.5 km · driving distance
27h 56min estimated drive time
$156 - $192 estimated fuel cost
~3h 13min flight time
262° W bearing direction

How far is Kansas City from Los Angeles?

The distance from Kansas City to Los Angeles is 1354.3 miles (2179.5 km) as the crow flies. Los Angeles is located W of Kansas City. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1618.4 miles, taking about 27h 56min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 13min. Both are located in United States — Kansas City in Missouri 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City to Los Angeles

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 27h 56min $156 - $192 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 13min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~33h 31min $129–$243* Budget
Train ~36h 19min $194–$566* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Kansas City & Los Angeles

Quick Facts

Kansas City
39.10°N, 94.58°W
America/Chicago
277m 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 451 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 113 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 18.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM