Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to California

See all options

There are 11 ways to get from Washington DC to California by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), 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 Los Angeles International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane DCA - LAX
    7h 47m
    $210–497

  2. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane IAD - LAX
    8h 17m
    $199–571

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Pittsburgh Intermodal Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Pittsburgh Intermodal Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    2d 14h
    $417–802

  4. 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
    $952–2,002

  5. Drive 2,610.6 mi

    1. Drive from Washington DC to Los Angelescar car 2,610.6 mi
    42h 49m
    $477–689

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

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane DCA - SAN
    7h 43m
    $345–1,209

  7. 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
    7h 42m
    $462–973

  8. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to San Diego 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 San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane IAD - SAN
    7h 58m
    $204–713

  9. 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 9m
    $233–617

  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 1m
    $256–1,557

  11. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Ontario International Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Ontario International Airport (ONT)plane plane BWI - ONT
    3. Take the train from Rancho Cucamonga to L.A. Union Stationtrain train
    10h 16m
    $254–1,566

Washington DC to California by foot and bus

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration2d 14hAverage Duration
Ticket$417Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Washington DC to California.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,327.7 mi
  • Duration: 7h 47m

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

Alaska Airlines, Inc., American Airlines, and three other airlines fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) every 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Washington DC to Los Angeles Union Station via 13 St NW+G St NW, Massachusetts Av NE+1 St NE, Washington Union Station, Pittsburgh Intermodal Station, and St Louis Bus Station in around 2d 14h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

More Questions & Answers