Compare: Denver→Los Angeles (1,336 km) vs Denver→Chicago (1,478 km). Denver → Los Angeles wins by 142 km (10%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 7, 2026
1,336 km
830 miles · Flight: ~2h 10min · Drive: ~21h 43min
✓ Shorter route
1,478 km
918 miles · Flight: ~2h 21min · Drive: ~24h 1min
Difference: 142 km (10%) · Flight time difference: ~11 min
Denver → Los Angeles is the shorter route at 1,336 km, which is 142 km (10%) shorter than Denver → Chicago. You would save approximately 11 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Denver → Los Angeles | Denver → Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 1,336 | 1,478 |
| Distance (miles) | 830 | 918 |
| Flight time | ~2h 10min | ~2h 21min |
| Driving time | ~21h 43min | ~24h 1min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~1,737 km | ~1,921 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
The Denver to Los Angeles route covers 1,336 km (830 miles), staying within North America. Denver (population: 727,211) is located in Mountain, United States, while Los Angeles (population: 3,979,576) is in West Coast, United States.
The Denver to Chicago route covers 1,478 km (918 miles), remaining within North America. Denver (population: 727,211) is in Mountain, United States, and Chicago (population: 2,693,976) is in Midwest, United States.
Flying from Denver to Los Angeles takes approximately 2h 10min, while Denver to Chicago takes 2h 21min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 21h 43min for the first route and 24h 1min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Denver, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Los Angeles and Chicago as a destination.
The 142 km difference between these routes is relatively modest, so other factors like ticket prices and schedules may matter more.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 1,737 km and 1,921 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 184 km of driving.
Los Angeles (United States) has a population of 3,979,576 and is located in the West Coast region of North America. It's a significant city with good transport links and cultural offerings.
Chicago (United States) has a population of 2,693,976 and is situated in Midwest, North America. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.
Choose Denver → Los Angeles if minimizing travel distance and flight time is your priority. The 142 km difference means a modest saving in fuel, time, and potentially cost. Choose Denver → Chicago if the destination itself is more important than the journey length.
Los Angeles is closer at 1,336 km, which is 142 km (10%) shorter.
1,336 km (830 miles). Flight: ~2h 10min.
1,478 km (918 miles). Flight: ~2h 21min.
Flying to Los Angeles is faster at ~2h 10min, saving about 11 min compared to Chicago.
All distances on SnapDistance are calculated using the Haversine formula, which determines the great-circle distance between two points on Earth's surface. This gives the shortest possible distance over the globe, which is the measurement used for aviation and navigation. Actual travel distances by road or rail are typically 20-40% longer due to terrain, borders, and infrastructure routing. Flight times assume 800 km/h cruising speed with 30 minutes for takeoff and landing. Driving estimates use 80 km/h average speed with a 30% road distance factor.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 7, 2026.