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How far is Los Angeles, CA, from Detroit, MI?

The distance between Detroit (Detroit Metropolitan Airport) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles International Airport) is 1979 miles / 3185 kilometers / 1720 nautical miles.

The driving distance from Detroit (DTW) to Los Angeles (LAX) is 2282 miles / 3673 kilometers, and travel time by car is about 40 hours 10 minutes.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport – Los Angeles International Airport

Distance arrow
1979
Miles
Distance arrow
3185
Kilometers
Distance arrow
1720
Nautical miles

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Distance from Detroit to Los Angeles

There are several ways to calculate the distance from Detroit to Los Angeles. Here are two standard methods:

Vincenty's formula (applied above)
  • 1978.781 miles
  • 3184.540 kilometers
  • 1719.514 nautical miles

Vincenty's formula calculates the distance between latitude/longitude points on the earth's surface using an ellipsoidal model of the planet.

Haversine formula
  • 1974.744 miles
  • 3178.042 kilometers
  • 1716.006 nautical miles

The haversine formula calculates the distance between latitude/longitude points assuming a spherical earth (great-circle distance – the shortest distance between two points).

How long does it take to fly from Detroit to Los Angeles?

The estimated flight time from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Los Angeles International Airport is 4 hours and 14 minutes.

Flight carbon footprint between Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

On average, flying from Detroit to Los Angeles generates about 216 kg of CO2 per passenger, and 216 kilograms equals 475 pounds (lbs). The figures are estimates and include only the CO2 generated by burning jet fuel.

Map of flight path and driving directions from Detroit to Los Angeles

See the map of the shortest flight path between Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Airport information

Origin Detroit Metropolitan Airport
City: Detroit, MI
Country: United States Flag of United States
IATA Code: DTW
ICAO Code: KDTW
Coordinates: 42°12′44″N, 83°21′12″W
Destination Los Angeles International Airport
City: Los Angeles, CA
Country: United States Flag of United States
IATA Code: LAX
ICAO Code: KLAX
Coordinates: 33°56′33″N, 118°24′28″W

Airlines flying from Detroit (DTW) to Los Angeles (LAX)

AirTran Airways
Delta Air Lines
Spirit Airlines