Los Angeles to Detroit
4h 22m The flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) covers 3,178 km (1,975 miles) and takes approximately 4h 22m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 63°, passing near 39.4° N, 101.9° 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 47m | 6h 12m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 4h 04m | 4h 30m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 3h 32m | 3h 57m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 3h 44m | 4h 10m |
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
| LAX | DTW | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Los Angeles International Airport | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport |
| City | Los Angeles | Detroit |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KLAX | KDTW |
| Coordinates | 33.9425, -118.408 | 42.2138, -83.3538 |
| Elevation | 125 ft | 645 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Detroit?
A non-stop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Detroit (DTW) takes about 4h 22m. The great-circle distance is 3,178 km (1,975 miles, 1,716 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 63°.
How far is Los Angeles from Detroit?
3,178 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 1,975 miles or 1,716 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 LAX and DTW?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 3,178 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.
Other routes from Los Angeles
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.