🗺️CityToCityDistance

Denver to Los Angeles Distance

1018 miles•1638 km•15.8 hours

Driving distance and route information from Denver, United Statesto Los Angeles, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

1017.79 mi
(1637.98 km)
⏱️15h 47m
Via I-70 → I-15 → I-605
I-70 → I-15
🔄

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

1117.52 mi
(1798.48 km)
⏱️18h 21m
Via I-70 → CO-9 → US-40 → US-191
I-70 → CO-9
📏 Straight-line distance: 830 miles (1336 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: Denver to Los Angeles

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
1018 mi
1638 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
15.8 hours
948 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
137 L
$205 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointDenver, Colorado
DestinationLos Angeles, California
Route Options2 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed104 km/h
Straight-line Distance1336 km
Route Efficiency82%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Denver to Los Angeles

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route1018 mi (1638 km)15.8 hours104 km/h❌ No
Alternative 11118 mi (1798 km)18.4 hours98 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Denver to Los Angeles

The road journey from Denver to Los Angeles spans approximately 1018 miles (1638 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 15.8 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Colorado, United States with California, United States, traversing through various regions within United States. The journey offers 2 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Denver to Los Angeles follows the I-70 → I-15 → I-605 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 104 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

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Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 41 gallons (137 liters) of fuel for this 1018 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
✓
Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 18.2 hours.
✓
Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
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Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$142
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$254
Total Trip Cost$397

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

15.8 hours

1018 miles

✈️

By Plane

1.7 hours flight

1336 km direct

🚌

By Bus

20.5 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Denver

View all distances from Denver →

More routes from Los Angeles

View all distances from Los Angeles →

Denver to Los Angeles - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Denver to Los Angeles?
The driving distance from Denver to Los Angeles is 1018 miles (1638 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-70 → I-15 → I-605. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 1336 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.
How long does it take to drive from Denver to Los Angeles?
The drive from Denver to Los Angeles takes approximately 15h 47m of continuous driving at an average speed of 104 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 18.2 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Denver to Los Angeles?
The fastest driving route from Denver to Los Angeles is 1018 miles (1638 km) via I-70 → I-15 → I-605, taking about 15h 47m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Denver to Los Angeles?
Yes, 2 routing options exist between Denver and Los Angeles. Alternatives have similar total distance but use different road segments — useful if the primary corridor has heavy traffic or construction.
Does the route from Denver to Los Angeles include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Denver to Los Angeles stays on toll-free public roads. Alternative routes may use different segments — check each route's summary above.
How much fuel does it take to drive from Denver to Los Angeles?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 34 gallons (137 liters) of fuel for the 1018-mile (1638-km) drive from Denver to Los Angeles. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $119 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Denver to Los Angeles?
Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Denver as the origin and Los Angeles as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.