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

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There are 10 ways to get from Washington 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
    6h 14m
    $180–557

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

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane DCA - SFO
    6h 43m
    $168–514

  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 14h
    $874–1,878

  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 15h
    $396–801

  5. Drive 2,616.4 mi

    1. Drive from Washington 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
    6h 22m
    $203–518

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

    1. Take the subway from Farragut West, 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 31m
    $532–1,068

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

    1. Take the subway from Farragut West, 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 45m
    $184–708

  9. 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
    7h 35m
    $354–1,200

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

    1. Take the subway from Farragut West, 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 3m
    $199–566

Washington to California by train (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Trains
Duration2d 14hAverage Duration
Ticket$874Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Washington to California.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,276.5 mi
  • Duration: 6h 14m

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 train from Washington Union Station to Los Angeles via Chicago Union Station in around 2d 14h.

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Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

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