Lots of people find themselves needing to get from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, whether for vacation, work, or some other reason. So, just how far to Vegas is it, depending on where you’re starting from?
This article explores the different ways to figure out the distance between these two popular destinations and the best ways to get there.
Calculating the distance
There are a couple of ways to think about “distance.” You can think about it as the shortest possible distance, or you can think about it as the distance you’ll actually travel.
“As the crow flies”
“As the crow flies” refers to the shortest distance between two points — a straight line. You can find this distance using online tools that calculate distances between locations. These tools usually give you the distance in both kilometers and miles.
Distance by road
The distance you’ll actually travel by road is almost always longer because roads rarely follow a straight line. To find out how far you’ll drive, use online mapping services like Google Maps or a similar tool.
Factors affecting travel time
Keep in mind that how long it takes you to drive depends on a few things:
- Traffic. Traffic in Los Angeles and Las Vegas can add a lot of time to your trip.
- Route. Some routes are shorter, but the speed limits might be lower.
How to find the distance to Vegas
You can find out how far you have to travel to get to Vegas using one of the many online distance calculators. These websites are simple to use.
To find the distance, you’ll need to enter your starting location and your destination. Be sure to use the format “[City, Country].” For example, if you’re starting in Los Angeles, you’d enter “Los Angeles, USA” and “Las Vegas, USA” as your destination.
Most of these online tools include interactive maps that you can zoom and pan to see the route. They also show you the distance “as the crow flies” (a straight line) and the distance by car, in both miles and kilometers.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re curious about the “as the crow flies” distance or the actual driving distance, calculating how far it is to Vegas depends on what you want to know. Remember to factor in how long it will take to get there, too. Traffic, which route you choose, and how you travel all impact travel time.