New York to Los Angeles: 2,790 miles (4,490 km) of pure America. It's one of the world's busiest air corridors and one of the great iconic road trips. Here's what you need to know.
By Air — The Fast Lane
Non-stop flights take around 5h 30m westbound and 5h eastbound (the jet stream gives a tailwind heading home). Over 40 departures run daily between the New York metro airports (JFK, LGA, EWR) and Los Angeles area (LAX, BUR, LGB). Fares range from ~$150 budget to $1,000+ for premium cabins.
The Classic Road Trip — Route 66
The most famous route follows I-40, which closely parallels Historic Route 66 through the American Southwest. Driving non-stop takes around 40 hours, but nobody does it non-stop.
The classic 7-day itinerary hits: Philadelphia → Nashville → Memphis → Oklahoma City → Amarillo → Albuquerque → Flagstaff → Grand Canyon → Las Vegas → Los Angeles. Budget $1,500–$3,000 for fuel, food, and motels.
By Train — Amtrak
No single Amtrak train connects New York and LA directly. The typical routing takes the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago, then the Southwest Chief to LA — around 68 hours total. Expensive for what it is, but supremely scenic through the Rockies and desert Southwest.
By Bus — Greyhound / FlixBus
Budget travellers can cross the country for as little as $50 on Greyhound or FlixBus — but the journey takes 2.5–3 days with multiple transfers. Only for the truly time-rich or bus enthusiast.