There are 10 ways to get from Washington 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.
Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Diego International Airport
best- Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)DCA - SAN
6h 30m$397–1,597Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport
cheapest- Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platform
- Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)IAD - SFO
8h 34m$132–571Bus
- Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Pittsburgh Intermodal Station
- Take the bus from Pittsburgh Intermodal Station to St Louis Bus Station
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Station
2d 10h$235–746Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union StationFloridian / ...
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los AngelesSouthwest Chief / ...
2d 14h$321–2,173Drive 2,610.5 mi
- Drive from Washington to Los Angeles2,610.5 mi
42h 29m$477–689Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)DCA - SFO
6h 54m$244–943Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)DCA - LAX
7h 11m$245–955Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to San Diego International Airport
- Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platform
- Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)IAD - SAN
8h 7m$214–913Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to San Diego International Airport
- Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)BWI - SAN
7h 50m$224–1,450Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Los Angeles International Airport
- Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platform
- Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)IAD - LAX
8h 50m$283–672
Washington to California by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Washington to California is to subway and fly which costs $130 - $600 and takes 8h 34m.
The fastest way to get from Washington to California is to fly which takes 6h 30m and costs $390 - $1,600.
No, there is no direct bus from Washington station to California station. However, there are services departing from Washington Union Station and arriving at Los Angeles Union Station via Pittsburgh Intermodal Station and St Louis Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 10h.
No, there is no direct train from Washington station to California. However, there are services departing from Washington Union Station and arriving at Los Angeles via Chicago Union Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 14h.
The distance between Washington and California is 2290 miles. The road distance is 2625.7 miles.
The best way to get from Washington to California without a car is to bus which takes 2 days 10h and costs $230 - $750.
It takes approximately 6h 30m to get from Washington to California, including transfers.
Washington to California bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Washington Union Station.
Washington to California train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Washington Union Station.
The best way to get from Washington to California is to fly which takes 6h 30m and costs $390 - $1,600. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $230 - $750 and takes 2 days 10h, you could also train, which costs $320 - $2,200 and takes 2 days 14h.
What companies run services between Washington, DC, USA and California, USA?
Alaska Airlines, Inc., Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Washington Union Station to Los Angeles Union Station via Pittsburgh Intermodal Station and St Louis Bus Station in around 2d 10h.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Diego International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 55m
- When
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $400–1,700
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Diego International Airport via Dallas
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 2m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $400–1,700
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Diego International Airport via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 25m
- When
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $390–1,600
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Diego International Airport via Omaha
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 10m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $400–1,700
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Diego International Airport via Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 35m
- When
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $390–1,600
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 2m
- When
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- When
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 40m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 58m
- When
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 45m
- When
- Wednesday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–900
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 40m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $210–900
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 44m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–900
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $220–900
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Diego International Airport via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 25m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $220–900
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 46m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $220–900
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 31m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 22m
- When
- Wednesday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $130–550
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 52m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–550
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 49m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–900
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 57m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–900
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–900
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 53m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–550
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $390–1,600
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–900
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $390–1,600
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 6m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–900
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $240–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
- Website
- flyfrontier.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 24m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $100–600
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 43h 32m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $220–1,600
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 38 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $6–55
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 202 466 3876
- Website
- wmata.com
Subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platform
- Ave. Duration
- 47 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–8
- Website
- https://www.wmata.com
- standard fare after 9:30 p.m
- $2–3
- standard fare 5 a.m - 9:30 p.m.
- $5–8
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak Northeast Regional
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 24 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $4–200
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Schedules at
- https://www.amtrak.com/northeast-regional-train
- Coach
- $4–200
- Business Class
- $45–230
- Phone
- 1-866-743-3682
- Website
- mta.maryland.gov
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2–9
- Website
- https://www.mta.maryland.gov
- Standard Fare
- $2–9
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak Acela
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 20 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $6–550
- Schedules at
- https://www.amtrak.com/acela-train
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Business Class
- $6–440
- First Class
- $100–550
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Washington Union Station to Pittsburgh Intermodal Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–110
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Pittsburgh Intermodal Station to St Louis Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $65–180
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 38h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $130–460
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Washington Union Station to Pittsburgh Intermodal Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $40–100
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Washington to California bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Pittsburgh Intermodal Station.
California is 3h behind Washington. It is currently 8:51 PM in Washington and 5:51 PM in California.
Washington to California train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Washington to California is 2626 miles. It takes approximately 42h 29m to drive from Washington to California.
Book your Washington to California train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Washington to California bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
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