🗺️CityToCityDistance

Seattle to Los Angeles Distance

1136 miles•1828 km•18.4 hours

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

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

1136.03 mi
(1828.26 km)
⏱️18h 27m
Via I-5 → CA-170
I-5 → CA-170
🔄

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

1174.75 mi
(1890.57 km)
⏱️19h 52m
Via I-5 → CA-139 → US-395 → CA-14
I-5 → CA-139
📏 Straight-line distance: 960 miles (1545 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: Seattle to Los Angeles

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
1136 mi
1828 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
18.4 hours
1104 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
152 L
$229 cost

📍 Route Overview

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

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed99 km/h
Straight-line Distance1545 km
Route Efficiency85%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Seattle to Los Angeles

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route1136 mi (1828 km)18.4 hours99 km/h❌ No
Alternative 11175 mi (1891 km)19.9 hours95 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Seattle to Los Angeles

The road journey from Seattle to Los Angeles spans approximately 1136 miles (1828 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 18.4 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Washington, 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 Seattle to Los Angeles follows the I-5 → CA-170 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 99 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

✓
Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 45 gallons (152 liters) of fuel for this 1136 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: 21.2 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.
✓
Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$159
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$284
Total Trip Cost$443

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

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

18.4 hours

1136 miles

✈️

By Plane

1.9 hours flight

1545 km direct

🚌

By Bus

23.9 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Seattle

View all distances from Seattle →

More routes from Los Angeles

View all distances from Los Angeles →

Seattle to Los Angeles - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Seattle to Los Angeles?
The driving distance from Seattle to Los Angeles is 1136 miles (1828 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-5 → CA-170. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 1545 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 Seattle to Los Angeles?
The drive from Seattle to Los Angeles takes approximately 18h 27m of continuous driving at an average speed of 99 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 21.2 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Seattle to Los Angeles?
The fastest driving route from Seattle to Los Angeles is 1136 miles (1828 km) via I-5 → CA-170, taking about 18h 27m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Seattle to Los Angeles?
Yes, 2 routing options exist between Seattle 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 Seattle to Los Angeles include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Seattle 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 Seattle to Los Angeles?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 38 gallons (152 liters) of fuel for the 1136-mile (1828-km) drive from Seattle to Los Angeles. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $133 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Seattle 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 Seattle as the origin and Los Angeles as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.