Washington to Los Angeles Flight Distance
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Primary sources · 6
- [1] Vincenty (1975) — Direct and Inverse Solutions of Geodesics on the Ellipsoid — the iterative formula used for distance · Survey Review XXIII (176), pp. 88–93 · April 1975 https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/PUBS_LIB/inverse.pdf
- [2] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84 — WGS-84 reference ellipsoid (a = 6,378,137 m, 1/f = 298.257223563) · NGA Standard · July 2014 https://earth-info.nga.mil/index.php?dir=wgs84&action=wgs84
- [3] DESNZ 2024 conversion factors — Per-km kg CO₂e factors for the three distance bands and four cabin classes · UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · June 2024 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2024
- [4] Lee et al. (2021) — Effective radiative forcing of aviation — the science behind the 1.9 × CO₂ → CO₂e uplift · Atmospheric Environment 244, 117834 · January 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117834
- [5] OpenFlights — Airport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
- [6] Sack (2010) — Jet-lag review — clinical chronobiology and asymmetric recovery rates · New England Journal of Medicine 362:440 · February 2010 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp0909838
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Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 2,311 miles, this medium-haul flight will take approximately 5h 3m. Consider bringing a book or downloading entertainment for the journey.
Time Adjustment: Los Angeles is 3 hours behind Washington. Expect mild jet lag with 1-2 days to fully adjust.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 558 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 51 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 4 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 2,311 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 3,719 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 2,008 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 5h 3m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | MEDIUM HAUL | Medium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 275° W | West |
| Cruising Altitude | 37,000 ft | FL370 (11,278 m) |
| Time Difference | -3h | Jet lag: mild |
| CO2 (Economy) | 558 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 1618 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 2231 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 51 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 112 L | ~20,160 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 4 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Washington, United States
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles, United States
Airlines Flying This Route
4 airlines operate flights between Washington and Los Angeles.
Flight Details
Flight Midpoint
The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:
Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class
CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.
Jet Lag & Travel Tips
- Adjust sleep schedule 1-2 hours before departure
- Stay hydrated during the flight
- Get sunlight exposure at destination
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 2,311 mi |
| Kilometers | 3,719 km |
| Nautical Miles | 2,008 nm |
| Meters | 3,719,000 m |
| Feet | 12,202,080 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 5h 3m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 3,719 km between Washington and Los Angeles at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 5h 3m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 7h 26m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 11h 37m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 37h 11m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 744h (31 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 3h 1m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from DCA
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Washington from Los Angeles?
The flight distance from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is 2,311 miles (3,719 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 5h 3m. This is a medium-haul flight typically cruising at 37,000 feet (FL370).
What is the time difference?
Los Angeles is 3 hours behind Washington. Expect mild jet lag with ~2 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
4 airlines operate this route: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and 1 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 558 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 1618 kg. First class: 2231 kg. Offset with ~51 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this West flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from Washington to Los Angeles instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 3,719 km distance. It would theoretically take over 46 hours of driving. Flying at 5h 3m is the recommended option.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This medium-haul route is typically served by Airbus A321, Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A320neo aircraft. A mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft may operate this route depending on demand.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 558 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 51 trees, purchasing verified carbon credits through programs like Gold Standard or Verra, or supporting renewable energy projects. Many airlines also offer built-in carbon offset options during booking.
External Resources & References
Learn more about the airports, aviation data, and carbon emissions methodology used in this calculation.