Chicago to Los Angeles
3h 54m The flight from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) covers 2,802 km (1,741 miles) and takes approximately 3h 54m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads west on an initial great-circle bearing of 261°, passing near 39.0° N, 104.0° W at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 5h 06m | 5h 31m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 3h 36m | 4h 01m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 3h 07m | 3h 32m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 3h 18m | 3h 43m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| ORD | LAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport | Los Angeles International Airport |
| City | Chicago | Los Angeles |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KORD | KLAX |
| Coordinates | 41.9786, -87.9048 | 33.9425, -118.408 |
| Elevation | 680 ft | 125 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Chicago to Los Angeles?
A non-stop flight from Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes about 3h 54m. The great-circle distance is 2,802 km (1,741 miles, 1,513 nautical miles), flying west on an initial bearing of 261°.
How far is Chicago from Los Angeles?
2,802 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 1,741 miles or 1,513 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between ORD and LAX?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 2,802 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.