Los Angeles, United States → Seattle, United States · ✈ 2h 26min · 🚗 25h 6min
834 nautical miles · Time difference: Same timezone · Direction: northwest
The distance from Los Angeles to Seattle is 1,545 km (960 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 2h 26min.
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles, United States to Seattle, United States is approximately 1,545 kilometers (960 miles or 834 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Seattle is located northwest of Los Angeles. Los Angeles is in North America, in the West Coast region of United States, while Seattle is in North America, in Pacific Northwest, United States. Both cities are in North America.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 1,545 km | ~2h 26min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~2,009 km | ~25h 6min | Long journey, consider stops |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~1,854 km | ~15h 27min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Los Angeles to Seattle. For 1,545 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 2,009 km, fuel costs for driving from Los Angeles to Seattle are approximately $161–$301 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 Seattle is located at 47.6062°N, 122.3321°W. The initial compass bearing from Los Angeles to Seattle is 348° (NNW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Los Angeles heading roughly NNW. 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 13.55° and the longitude difference is 4.09°. 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 Seattle is approximately 40.8471°N, 120.0779°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 773 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 and Seattle share the same approximate time zone, so meetings, calls, and arrivals don't require any clock adjustment. This makes the route especially convenient for short business trips. 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
Seattle is a notable city in United States with a population of approximately 737,015. Situated in the Pacific Northwest region, it serves as a key destination in North America. Seattle is a popular destination in the Pacific Northwest region of United States, known for its unique character and attractions.
→ See all distances from Seattle
1,545 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.
The 1,545 km between Los Angeles and Seattle means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 5.2 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 2h 26min.
See how the Los Angeles to Seattle distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles to Seattle is approximately 1,545 kilometers (960 miles, 834 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 2h 26min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 25h 6min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Seattle is approximately Same timezone compared to Los Angeles.
The estimated road distance is approximately 2,009 km, which is about 30% longer than the 1,545 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.