Los Angeles, United States → Salt Lake City, United States · ✈ 1h 40min · 🚗 15h 10min
504 nautical miles · Time difference: +1h ahead · Direction: northeast
The distance from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City is 933 km (580 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 1h 40min.
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles, United States to Salt Lake City, United States is approximately 933 kilometers (580 miles or 504 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Salt Lake City is located northeast of Los Angeles. Los Angeles is in North America, in the West Coast region of United States, while Salt Lake City is in North America, in Mountain, United States. Both cities are in North America.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 933 km | ~1h 40min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~1,213 km | ~15h 10min | Feasible with breaks |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~1,120 km | ~9h 20min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. For 933 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 1,213 km, fuel costs for driving from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City are approximately $97–$182 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 Salt Lake City is located at 40.7608°N, 111.8910°W. The initial compass bearing from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City is 35° (NE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Los Angeles heading roughly NE. 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 6.71° and the longitude difference is 6.35°. 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 Salt Lake City is approximately 37.4489°N, 115.2099°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 467 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Salt Lake City is roughly 1 hour ahead of Los Angeles. When it is 09:00 in Los Angeles, it is approximately 10:00 in Salt Lake City. 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
Salt Lake City is a notable city in United States with a population of approximately 200,133. Situated in the Mountain region, it serves as a key destination in North America. Salt Lake City is a popular destination in the Mountain region of United States, known for its unique character and attractions.
933 km is a medium-distance route, similar to traveling across a mid-sized European country. A flight covers this distance quickly, but driving or rail travel remains feasible for those who prefer ground transport. For reference, New York to Chicago is about 1,150 km.
At 933 km, the Los Angeles-Salt Lake City route is about 2.3% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 1h 40min.
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City is approximately 933 kilometers (580 miles, 504 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 1h 40min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 15h 10min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Salt Lake City is approximately +1h ahead compared to Los Angeles.
The estimated road distance is approximately 1,213 km, which is about 30% longer than the 933 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 7, 2026.