Seattle, United States → Los Angeles, United States · ✈ 2h 26min · 🚗 25h 6min
834 nautical miles · Time difference: Same timezone · Direction: southeast
The distance from Seattle to Los Angeles 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 Seattle, United States to Los Angeles, 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.
Los Angeles is located southeast of Seattle. Seattle is in North America, in the Pacific Northwest region of United States, while Los Angeles is in North America, in West Coast, 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 Seattle to Los Angeles. 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 Seattle to Los Angeles 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.
Seattle sits at 47.6062°N, 122.3321°W, while Los Angeles is located at 34.0522°N, 118.2437°W. The initial compass bearing from Seattle to Los Angeles is 166° (SSE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Seattle heading roughly SSE. 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 Seattle and Los Angeles 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.
Seattle and Los Angeles 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.
Seattle is a major city in United States with a population of approximately 737,015. Located in the Pacific Northwest region, it is an important hub in North America. Despite its smaller size, Seattle plays an important regional role in United States and attracts visitors year-round.
→ See all distances from Seattle
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
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 Seattle and Los Angeles means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 5.2 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 2h 26min.
See how the Seattle to Los Angeles distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Seattle to Los Angeles 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.
Los Angeles is approximately Same timezone compared to Seattle.
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.