Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to Washington D.C.

Your route at a glance

Cheapest deal$246
Cheapest monthJanuary
Average flight duration4 hours and 56 minutes
Most popular airlineUnited

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Flight deals from Los Angeles to Washington D.C.

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Los Angeles to Washington D.C.? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Los Angeles to Washington D.C.

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Los Angeles to Washington D.C. flights are currently cheapest in January.

Direct flights from Los Angeles to Washington D.C.

Alternative Los Angeles to Washington D.C. routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Los Angeles to Washington D.C.? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Finding cheap flights from Los Angeles to Washington D.C.: Frequently asked questions

There are 5 airports in Washington D.C.: Washington Ronald Reagan, Camp Springs Andrews AFB, Washington Dulles, Baltimore Washington International, and Manassas.
The best price we found for a return flight from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. is $246. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
4 hours and 55 minutes is the average flight time from Los Angeles to Washington D.C..
United, Southwest Airlines and Virgin Australia fly direct from Los Angeles to Washington D.C..
As of December 2025, there are 3,582 flights per week flying from Los Angeles to Washington D.C..
The cheapest month to fly from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. is usually January.
If you're flying from Los Angeles, the cheapest airport near Washington D.C. is Baltimore Washington International – which is 43.6 km away from the centre of Washington D.C.. We've found flights into this airport from $246.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. on Monday, 19 January 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 4 hours and 55 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Washington D.C. but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Washington D.C. is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In December, the average temperature is usually around 2°C. July is typically the warmest month in Washington D.C., when it usually averages around 31°C. You can expect the least rain in February. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging -4°C. The rainiest month is September.
The cheapest airline that flies to Washington D.C. is Spirit Airlines. And the cheapest airline that flies to Camp Springs Andrews AFB Airport is United.

Travelling from Los Angeles to Washington DC: what you need to know

  • Kick off your travels at one of Los Angeles's main airports, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Explore your options for booking a flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC departing from either of these.

  • The major arrival points in Washington DC are Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

  • Hop on a direct Los Angeles to Washington DC flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 5 hours.

  • Washington DC's timezone is UTC-4, which makes Washington DC three hours ahead of Los Angeles.

  • The busiest route for flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC is from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Take your pick of 52 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to maximise your time on arrival, the earliest flight from LAX to IAD is the 00:10 United Airlines service. If you prefer travelling later, the last scheduled departure is at 23:59 with United Airlines.

  • Leave plenty of time to catch your Los Angeles to Washington DC flight. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • You can expect longer lines in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.

How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC

  • To secure cheap Los Angeles to Washington DC flights, book your journey four months before your planned departure.

  • July is the best month for landing an amazing deal on a plane ticket from Los Angeles to Washington DC. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.

  • Finding a cheap flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as a better deal is available.

  • Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Los Angeles to Washington DC flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'

Flying from Los Angeles

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

  • You can fly directly to Washington DC leaving from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Here are some airports you can reach on a nonstop connection when searching for your flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC:

    • Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)

    • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

    • Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

  • These are some of the top airlines offering direct Los Angeles to Washington DC plane tickets out of LAX:

  • The journey from central Los Angeles to LAX takes around 55 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.

  • After a hassle-free start to your break? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just the thing:

  • Los Angeles International Airport has an excellent on-time record, so you're unlikely to face delays. Departures from LAX land at their destination as scheduled 81.05% of the time.

  • The address for LAX is One World Way.

Arriving in Washington DC

Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)

  • Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is approximately 5 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 15 minutes.

  • Getting to the centre on public transport typically takes 45 minutes.

  • If you have a late flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these accommodation options near DCA:

  • Grab a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car and explore Washington DC and beyond with your own set of wheels. Thrifty, Sixt and Dollar are top providers to choose from here.

  • Secure the lowest price by booking your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport around four weeks ahead of your trip.

  • You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

  • As soon as your flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city centre in around 50 minutes by car. Central Washington DC is approximately 40 kilometres from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

  • Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour 10 minutes.

  • You'll find some comfortable places ready to welcome you near IAD. Tuck yourself in after your Los Angeles to Washington DC flight at one of these well-located options:

  • The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Sixt and make a speedy getaway.

  • Get the lowest price by booking your ride from IAD one week ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater selection of vehicles.

  • Washington Dulles International Airport can be found at 1 Saarinen Circle.

Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

  • Head to the city centre after your flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC has landed. Central Washington DC is around 40 kilometres from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and takes roughly 50 minutes to reach by car.

  • If you use public transport, the journey will take you about 1 hour 30 minutes.

  • If you don't want to make the trip into the centre, head for a hotel near BWI. Make yourself comfortable at one of these options after your Los Angeles to Washington DC flight:

  • Be in the driver's seat of the next leg of your trip with a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. Dollar, Thrifty and Budget make getting on the road effortless.

  • If you're after a specific kind of vehicle, lock in your ride from BWI around two weeks ahead of your flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC. This gives you a higher chance of getting your preferred car, along with a better deal.

Best time to go to Washington DC

  • May is the quietest month for flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC, while February is the most popular. Figure out the best time to visit Washington DC based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.

  • Book a Los Angeles to Washington DC ticket departing in July if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Washington DC to range from 19ºC to 33ºC.

  • Search for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -6ºC and 10ºC on average.

More about Washington DC

Explore more of United States

  • Washington DC has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of United States waiting to be explored. Around 322 kilometres north-east of Washington DC, a visit to New York will keep you busy. Start with leading sights like Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.

  • Philadelphia is another sought-after destination in United States and is around 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC. No trip is complete without visiting Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.