Los Angeles (LAX) to Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)

Distance, flight time and the air traffic controllers who guide you.

Quick answer

Los Angeles (LAX) to Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) is 1,232 miles in a straight line, about 2h 58m gate to gate. Your flight is handed between 7 air traffic control facilities along the way.

1,232miles
1,071nautical miles
1,983kilometers
~2h 58mestimated flight time
+2 htime change on arrival
Eastinitial heading

Who handles your flight

Every airliner is passed from one air traffic control facility to the next. On the most direct path, these are the teams that guide you, in order. Weather and traffic can send a flight through other centers, so your actual flight may differ a little.

  1. LAXTowerLos Angeles International Tower (LAX)Clears you for takeoffThank them →
  2. SCTTRACONSouthern California TRACON (SCT)Guides the climb outThank them →
  3. ZLACenterLos Angeles ARTCC (ZLA)Takes over at cruising altitudeThank them →
  4. ZABCenterAlbuquerque ARTCC (ZAB)Keeps you separated en routeThank them →
  5. ZFWCenterFort Worth ARTCC (ZFW)Starts your descentThank them →
  6. D10TRACONDallas-Fort Worth TRACON (D10)Lines you up for the approachThank them →
  7. DFWTowerDallas-Fort Worth Tower (DFW)Clears you to landThank them →

Flying the other way

Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) to Los Angeles (LAX)

DFW → D10 → ZFW → ZAB → ZLA → SCT → LAX

About the airports

Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles, CA

Codes: LAX · KLAX

Time zone: Pacific

Control tower: Los Angeles International Tower (LAX)

Thank the tower →

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

Codes: DFW · KDFW

Time zone: Central

Control tower: Dallas-Fort Worth Tower (DFW)

Thank the tower →

More routes

All flight routes →

How we figure this out

Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, the shortest path over the curved Earth. Flight time assumes an average airliner speed of about 500 mph plus about 30 minutes for taxi, takeoff and landing. The list of facilities follows the same path, using each airport's tower and approach control and the FAA's en route center boundaries.

Say thanks to the controllers who got you there. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and every post is checked before it goes up.

Find your airport or ATC facility →

Common questions

How long is the flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)?

About 2h 58m gate to gate for the 1,232-mile trip. Flying east, you often pick up a tailwind, so it can be a little shorter.

How far is Los Angeles (LAX) from Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)?

1,232 miles (1,071 nautical miles, 1,983 km) in a straight line. The path your flight actually takes is usually a little longer.

Which air traffic controllers handle a flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)?

Usually 7 facilities: Los Angeles International Tower (LAX), Southern California TRACON (SCT), Los Angeles ARTCC (ZLA), Albuquerque ARTCC (ZAB), Fort Worth ARTCC (ZFW), Dallas-Fort Worth TRACON (D10) and Dallas-Fort Worth Tower (DFW). You can thank each one on its own wall at Thank ATC.

Is there a time change between Los Angeles (LAX) and Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)?

Yes. Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) is 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles (LAX).

Updated October 2026

Ready to thank someone?

Free, about 30 seconds, no sign-up. Donating is always optional.

Leave a thank-you