Los Angeles, United States → Denver, United States · ✈ 2h 10min · 🚗 21h 43min
721 nautical miles · Time difference: +1h ahead · Direction: northeast
The distance from Los Angeles to Denver is 1,336 km (830 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 2h 10min.
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles, United States to Denver, United States is approximately 1,336 kilometers (830 miles or 721 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Denver is located northeast of Los Angeles. Los Angeles is in North America, in the West Coast region of United States, while Denver is in North America, in Mountain, United States. Both cities are in North America.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 1,336 km | ~2h 10min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~1,737 km | ~21h 43min | Long journey, consider stops |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~1,603 km | ~13h 22min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Los Angeles to Denver. For 1,336 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 1,737 km, fuel costs for driving from Los Angeles to Denver are approximately $139–$261 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Los Angeles sits at 34.0522°N, 118.2437°W, while Denver is located at 39.7392°N, 104.9903°W. The initial compass bearing from Los Angeles to Denver is 58° (ENE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Los Angeles heading roughly ENE. 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 5.69° and the longitude difference is 13.25°. 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 Los Angeles and Denver is approximately 37.0800°N, 111.8652°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 668 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Denver is roughly 1 hour ahead of Los Angeles. When it is 09:00 in Los Angeles, it is approximately 10:00 in Denver. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Los Angeles is a major city in United States with a population of approximately 3,979,576. Located in the West Coast region, it is an important hub in North America. Los Angeles is a significant metropolitan area in United States with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Los Angeles
Denver is a notable city in United States with a population of approximately 727,211. Situated in the Mountain region, it serves as a key destination in North America. Denver is a popular destination in the Mountain region of United States, known for its unique character and attractions.
→ See all distances from Denver
1,336 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
At 1,336 km, the Los Angeles-Denver route is about 3.3% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 2h 10min.
See how the Los Angeles to Denver distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles to Denver is approximately 1,336 kilometers (830 miles, 721 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 2h 10min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 21h 43min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Denver is approximately +1h ahead compared to Los Angeles.
The estimated road distance is approximately 1,737 km, which is about 30% longer than the 1,336 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.