Los Angeles to Washington DC: Road Trip Guide & Distance

2294.1 miles 3692 km · straight line
2672 miles actual route 4300.1 km · driving distance
46h 52min estimated drive time
$257 - $316 estimated fuel cost
~5h 7min flight time
69° ENE bearing direction

How far is Los Angeles from Washington DC?

The distance from Los Angeles to Washington DC is 2294.1 miles (3692 km) as the crow flies. Washington DC is located ENE of Los Angeles. By car, the driving distance is approximately 2672 miles, taking about 46h 52min. A direct flight would take roughly 5h 7min. Both are located in United States — Los Angeles in California and Washington DC in District of Columbia.

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. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. 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 Los Angeles and Washington DC. 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 Los Angeles to Washington DC

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 46h 52min $257 - $316 Flexible stops
Fly ~5h 7min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~56h 14min $214–$401* Budget
Train ~60h 56min $321–$935* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Los Angeles & Washington DC

Quick Facts

Los Angeles
34.05°N, 118.24°W
America/Los_Angeles
71m elevation
Washington DC
38.91°N, 77.04°W
America/New_York
7m elevation
Explore more routes from Washington DC

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 765 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 191 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 10.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM