Vancouver, Canada → Los Angeles, United States · ✈ 2h 41min · 🚗 28h 17min
940 nautical miles · Time difference: Same timezone · Direction: southeast
The distance from Vancouver to Los Angeles is 1,740 km (1,081 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 2h 41min.
The straight-line distance from Vancouver, Canada to Los Angeles, United States is approximately 1,740 kilometers (1,081 miles or 940 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 Vancouver. Vancouver is in North America, in the British Columbia region of Canada, 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 | 1,740 km | ~2h 41min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~2,262 km | ~28h 17min | Long journey, consider stops |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~2,088 km | ~17h 24min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Vancouver to Los Angeles. For 1,740 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 2,262 km, fuel costs for driving from Vancouver to Los Angeles are approximately $181–$339 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.
Vancouver sits at 49.2827°N, 123.1207°W, while Los Angeles is located at 34.0522°N, 118.2437°W. The initial compass bearing from Vancouver to Los Angeles is 165° (SSE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Vancouver 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 15.23° and the longitude difference is 4.88°. 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 Vancouver and Los Angeles is approximately 41.6929°N, 120.3919°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 870 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.
Vancouver 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.
Vancouver uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD), 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. The primary local language shifts from English / French in Vancouver to English in Los Angeles. Learning a few basic phrases makes a noticeable difference at hotels, restaurants, and transit hubs.
Vancouver is a major city in Canada with a population of approximately 631,486. Located in the British Columbia region, it is an important hub in North America. Despite its smaller size, Vancouver plays an important regional role in Canada and attracts visitors year-round.
→ See all distances from Vancouver
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
1,740 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 1,740 km between Vancouver and Los Angeles means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 5.8 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 2h 41min.
See how the Vancouver to Los Angeles distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Vancouver to Los Angeles is approximately 1,740 kilometers (1,081 miles, 940 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 2h 41min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 28h 17min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Los Angeles is approximately Same timezone compared to Vancouver.
The estimated road distance is approximately 2,262 km, which is about 30% longer than the 1,740 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.