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How to get fromDetroit to Californiaby plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Amtrak, Flixbus, Greyhound), car, or bus

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There are 9 ways to get from Detroit to California by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Amtrak, Flixbus, Greyhound), car, or bus

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly Detroit to San Diego International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Detroit (DTW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane DTW - SAN
    7h 11m
    $204–367

  2. Fly Detroit to San Francisco International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Detroit (DTW) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane DTW - SFO
    7h 39m
    $153–616

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Detroit to Chicago Union Stationtrain train Wolverine
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain train Southwest Chief
    2d 2h
    $801–1,699

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Detroit to Chicago Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    2d 7h
    $436–782

  5. Drive 2,278.5 mi

    1. Drive from Detroit to Los Angelescar car 2,278.5 mi
    35h 53m
    $416–601

  6. Fly Detroit to John Wayne Airport Orange County

    1. Fly from Detroit (DTW) to John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA)plane plane DTW - SNA
    7h
    $272–767

  7. Fly Detroit to Los Angeles International Airport

    1. Fly from Detroit (DTW) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane DTW - LAX
    7h 32m
    $179–565

  8. Fly Detroit to Sacramento International Airport

    1. Fly from Detroit (DTW) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)plane plane DTW - SMF
    7h 37m
    $224–906

  9. Bus to Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, fly to Los Angeles International Airport

    1. Take the bus from Detroit Bus Station to Cleveland Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Fly from Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport (CLE) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane CLE - LAX
    10h 5m
    $185–452

Detroit to California by train (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Trains
Duration2d 2hAverage Duration
Ticket$801Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Detroit to California.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,979.7 mi
  • Duration: 7h 11m

What companies run services between Detroit, MI, USA and California, USA?

Delta, Southwest Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Detroit (DTW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) every 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from Detroit to Los Angeles via Chicago Union Station and Fullerton Amtrak Station in around 2d 2h.

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Want to know more about travelling around United States

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