Compare: Los Angeles→Denver (1,336 km) vs Los Angeles→Dallas (1,992 km). Los Angeles → Denver wins by 656 km (33%). 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
1,992 km
1,238 miles · Flight: ~2h 59min · Drive: ~32h 22min
Difference: 656 km (33%) · Flight time difference: ~49 min
Verdict
Los Angeles → Denver is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 656 km (33%) shorter, saves about 49 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 167 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Los Angeles → Dallas only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Los Angeles → Denver is the shorter route at 1,336 km, which is 656 km (33%) shorter than Los Angeles → Dallas. You would save approximately 49 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Los Angeles → Denver | Los Angeles → Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 1,336 | 1,992 |
| Distance (miles) | 830 | 1,238 |
| Flight time | ~2h 10min | ~2h 59min |
| Driving time | ~21h 43min | ~32h 22min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~1,737 km | ~2,590 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 58° (ENE) | 88° (E) |
| Time-zone shift | +1h | +2h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~341 kg | ~508 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~297 kg | ~443 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$174 USD | ~$259 USD |
Flying from Los Angeles to Denver produces roughly 341 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Los Angeles → Dallas flight emits about 508 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 167 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 8 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 297 kg and 443 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Los Angeles to Denver route covers 1,336 km (830 miles), staying within North America. Los Angeles (population: 3,979,576) is located in West Coast, United States, while Denver (population: 727,211) is in Mountain, United States.
The Los Angeles to Dallas route covers 1,992 km (1,238 miles), remaining within North America. Los Angeles (population: 3,979,576) is in West Coast, United States, and Dallas (population: 1,343,573) is in South, United States.
Flying from Los Angeles to Denver takes approximately 2h 10min, while Los Angeles to Dallas takes 2h 59min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 21h 43min for the first route and 32h 22min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Los Angeles, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Denver and Dallas as a destination.
The 656 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 1,737 km and 2,590 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 853 km of driving.
Denver (United States) has a population of 727,211 and is located in the Mountain region of North America. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Dallas (United States) has a population of 1,343,573 and is situated in South, North America. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Denver (United States) — a city of 727,211 in the Mountain region of North America. It is also the shorter option at 1,336 km, which translates to a 49 min flight-time saving and roughly 167 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 1,737 km of road and a fuel cost band around $174 USD. The initial bearing is 58° (ENE), so a great-circle flight leaves Los Angeles heading roughly ENE.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Dallas (United States) — a city of 1,343,573 in the South region of North America. Even though it is the longer route at 1,992 km, it remains the obvious pick when Dallas is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Los Angeles are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 2,590 km of road and a fuel cost in the $259 USD range. Departing Los Angeles, the great-circle bearing toward Dallas is 88° (E).
Los Angeles (34.05°, -118.24°) and Denver (39.74°, -104.99°) sit with a time-zone shift of +1 hour. Los Angeles (34.05°, -118.24°) and Dallas (32.78°, -96.80°) have a +2-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Denver is closer at 1,336 km, which is 656 km (33%) shorter.
1,336 km (830 miles). Flight: ~2h 10min.
1,992 km (1,238 miles). Flight: ~2h 59min.
Flying to Denver is faster at ~2h 10min, saving about 49 min compared to Dallas.
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.