Rome2Rio

How to get fromWashington DC to Los Angelesby plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound), car, subway, or train

Find Transport to Los Angeles

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from Washington DC to Los Angeles by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound), car, subway, or train

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 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane DCA - LAX
    7h 57m
    $190–417

  2. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Los Angeles International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane IAD - LAX
    8h 39m
    $139–416

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train Floridian / ...
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train Southwest Chief / ...
    2d 15h
    $1,622–2,552

  4. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Harrisburg Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Harrisburg Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    2d 16h
    $502–807

  5. Drive  2,616.4 mi

    1. Drive from Washington DC to Los Angelescar car 2,616.4 mi
    42h 37m
    $448–646

  6. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Los Angeles International Airport

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane BWI - LAX
    8h 54m
    $181–1,215

  7. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Burbank Bob Hope Airport

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane DCA - BUR
    10h 17m
    $275–1,206

  8. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Long Beach Airport

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Long Beach Airport (LGB)plane plane DCA - LGB
    11h 24m
    $249–1,110

  9. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to John Wayne Airport Orange County

    1. Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA)plane plane IAD - SNA
    11h 56m
    $199–578

Washington DC to Los Angeles by foot, subway, and train (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration2d 15hAverage Duration
Ticket$1,622Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Washington DC to Los Angeles.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,327.3 mi
  • Duration: 7h 57m

What companies run services between Washington DC, USA and Los Angeles, CA, USA?

Alaska Airlines, Inc., American Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) every 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Washington DC to Los Angeles via Metro Center, Red Line Track 1 Platform, Union Station, Red Line Center Platform, Washington Union Station, and Chicago Union Station in around 2d 15h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

Booking & Getting There