Cost to drive from New York City to Los Angeles
Driving from New York City to Los Angeles covers 2,799 miles (4,504 km) and takes about 49h 48min without stops. At New York's current fuel prices (week of 2026-07-20), the fuel for the trip costs about $393.49 in a typical petrol car — here's the full breakdown for petrol, diesel and electric.
| Location | Petrol/gal | Diesel/gal |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | $4.22 | $5.54 |
| Los Angeles | $5.59 | $6.81 |
Enter your fuel economy and see stops along the way.
How this cost is calculated
We take the real driving distance between New York City and Los Angeles (2,799 miles) from OpenStreetMap routing, then multiply by a typical car's fuel use and New York's current average pump price. The petrol figure assumes 30 MPG · 7.8 L/100km; diesel and EV use 35 MPG · 6.7 L/100km and 3.5 mi/kWh. Your real cost depends on your car, traffic, driving style and the stations you pick — use the planner for your exact numbers, and check live prices on the New York fuel prices page.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drive from New York City to Los Angeles?
The drive is 2,799 miles (4,504 km) and takes about 49h 48min without stops. Fuel costs roughly $393.49 in an average petrol car, $443.15 in a diesel, and $135.93 in an electric car, using New York's current fuel prices.
How far is it from New York City to Los Angeles in miles and km?
About 2,799 miles or 4,504 kilometres by road — roughly 49h 48min of driving.
Is it cheaper to fill up in New York City or Los Angeles?
Petrol is cheaper in New York ($4.22/gal) than in California ($5.59/gal), so fill up before you leave.
How do I get the exact cost for my car?
Open the FuelWide route planner, enter your car's fuel economy, and it prices the trip on live data — and shows fuel or charging stops along the way.
Driving distance via OSRM / OpenStreetMap. Fuel prices are New York's current official averages; efficiency and electricity rate are typical estimates. Your figure will vary — use the planner for an exact result.