London, United Kingdom → Los Angeles, United States · ✈ 11h 27min · 🚗 142h 17min
4,728 nautical miles · Time difference: -8h behind · Direction: southwest
The distance from London to Los Angeles is 8,756 km (5,441 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 11h 27min.
The straight-line distance from London, United Kingdom to Los Angeles, United States is approximately 8,756 kilometers (5,441 miles or 4,728 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Los Angeles is located southwest of London. London is in Europe, in the England region of United Kingdom, while Los Angeles is in North America, in West Coast, United States. This intercontinental route spans from Europe to North America.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 8,756 km | ~11h 27min | Best option for speed |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from London to Los Angeles. For 8,756 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
London sits at 51.5074°N, 0.1278°W, while Los Angeles is located at 34.0522°N, 118.2437°W. The initial compass bearing from London to Los Angeles is 312° (NW), so a great-circle flight path leaves London heading roughly NW. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 17.46° and the longitude difference is 118.12°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between London and Los Angeles is approximately 60.2722°N, 72.5168°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 4,378 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
Los Angeles is roughly 8 hours behind London. When it is 09:00 in London, it is approximately 01:00 in Los Angeles. A time difference of 8 hours typically produces noticeable jet lag — most travelers need about one recovery day per time zone crossed. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
London uses the Pound Sterling (GBP), while Los Angeles uses the US Dollar (USD). Plan to exchange currency before departure or use a low-fee travel card on arrival — airport rates are typically the worst available. Both destinations share English as a primary language, simplifying signage, transit, and everyday interactions.
London is a major city in United Kingdom with a population of approximately 8,982,000. Located in the England region, it is an important hub in Europe. As one of the largest cities in United Kingdom, London is a major international gateway with extensive air connections and multiple airports.
→ See all distances from London
Los Angeles is a notable city in United States with a population of approximately 3,979,576. Situated in the West Coast region, it serves as a key destination in North America. Los Angeles offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in United States.
→ See all distances from Los Angeles
At 8,756 km, this is one of the longer routes on the globe, spanning from Europe to North America. For comparison, London to Sydney is about 17,000 km — roughly half the circumference of the Earth.
At 8,756 km, London to Los Angeles is one of the world's longer routes, covering 21.8% of Earth's circumference (40,075 km).
Combined, London and Los Angeles have a population of over 12,961,576 people, making this a major urban corridor.
This route crosses from Europe to North America, spanning 8 timezones.
This 8,756 km journey from Europe to North America is one of the world's longer routes. At this distance, jet lag becomes a significant factor — plan for at least one recovery day per 3 time zones crossed.
See how the London to Los Angeles distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from London to Los Angeles is approximately 8,756 kilometers (5,441 miles, 4,728 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 11h 27min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 142h 17min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Los Angeles is approximately -8h behind compared to London.
The estimated road distance is approximately 11,383 km, which is about 30% longer than the 8,756 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: May 30, 2026.