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How to get fromWashington DC to Californiaby plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound), car, subway, or train

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There are 11 ways to get from Washington DC to California by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound), car, subway, or train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Diego International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane DCA - SAN
    7h 41m
    $175–559

  2. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to San Diego International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane IAD - SAN
    7h 58m
    $154–658

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train Floridian / ...
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train Southwest Chief / ...
    2d 15h
    $1,622–2,602

  4. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Harrisburg Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Harrisburg Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    2d 16h
    $492–742

  5. Drive  2,616.4 mi

    1. Drive from Washington DC to Los Angelescar car 2,616.4 mi
    42h 36m
    $478–690

  6. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane DCA - LAX
    7h 57m
    $200–567

  7. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane DCA - SFO
    8h 11m
    $154–458

  8. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to John Wayne Airport Orange County

    1. Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA)plane plane IAD - SNA
    8h 3m
    $532–1,068

  9. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Los Angeles International Airport

    1. Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane IAD - LAX
    8h 24m
    $189–816

  10. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to San Diego International Airport

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane BWI - SAN
    8h 23m
    $356–1,207

  11. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Los Angeles International Airport

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane BWI - LAX
    8h 39m
    $181–1,165

Washington DC to California by foot, subway, and train (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration2d 15hAverage Duration
Ticket$1,622Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Washington DC to California.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,283.6 mi
  • Duration: 7h 41m

What companies run services between Washington DC, USA and California, USA?

Alaska Airlines, Inc., Southwest Airlines, and three other airlines fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Washington DC to Los Angeles via Metro Center, Red Line Track 1 Platform, Union Station, Red Line Center Platform, Washington Union Station, and Chicago Union Station in around 2d 15h.

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Need to know: Greyhound

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