Flight time & jet lag: Los Angeles to Dallas
Los Angeles (LAX) → Dallas (DFW) · 1,983 km (1,232 mi) · medium haul · intra north america
The flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Dallas (DFW) takes 2h 50m to 3h 23m covering 1,983 km. Dallas is 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles, making this a light-severity jet lag route traveling east. Full circadian adjustment typically takes 2 days.
- Route:
- Los Angeles (LAX) → Dallas (DFW)
- Distance:
- 1,983 km (1,232 mi)
- Flight time:
- 2h 50m to 3h 23m gate-to-gate
- Time difference:
- +2 hours
- Jet lag severity:
- light (2 zones crossed)
- Recovery time:
- ~2 days
- Direction:
- eastbound
- Route type:
- medium-haul, intra north america
- Origin timezone:
- America/Los_Angeles
- Destination timezone:
- America/Chicago
Los Angeles to Dallas: Route overview
This medium-haul route from Los Angeles (LAX) to Dallas (DFW) covers 1,983 km in approximately 2h 50m to 3h 23m, crossing 2 time zones eastbound. With only a 2-hour time difference, most travelers adjust within a day, though the medium-haul journey may still cause travel fatigue. The route passes through North America's airspace, with flight paths that may vary by season due to weather patterns along the corridor.
What makes the Los Angeles–Dallas route different
With only 2 hours of time difference, this route sits at the threshold where jet lag is barely noticeable for most travelers. The bigger factor is likely the 2h 50m to 3h 23m flight duration itself and any associated sleep deprivation.
Arrival strategy for Dallas
Arriving in Dallas after a 2-hour eastward shift, your body will think it is 2 hours earlier than the local clock shows. If you arrive in the morning, push through fatigue and get outside in bright daylight. If you arrive in the evening, eat a light meal and go to bed at the local time — you may wake early, but resist getting up until at least 05:00.
Circadian rhythm analysis: Los Angeles → Dallas
When you arrive in Dallas, your circadian rhythm is still running on Los Angeles time. At 09:00 Dallas time, your body clock reads 07:00 — early morning on your body clock. You will feel groggy but functional, with energy building through the local morning. By 22:00 local time (when you should sleep), your body reads 20:00 — approaching your natural evening. Sleep onset should be achievable with proper wind-down routine. Your circadian system adjusts at roughly 1 hour per day, so expect 2 days for full alignment.
Your body clock in Dallas (day 1)
How your body clock maps to local time upon arrival, before any adjustment.
| Dallas Time | Your Body Clock (Los Angeles) | How You Feel | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 04:00 | Early wake phase. Groggy, low energy. | Light physical activity helps. Coffee is acceptable if 8+ hours before target bedtime. |
| 09:00 | 07:00 | Morning alertness building. Moderate energy. | Good window for bright light exposure if adjusting eastward. |
| 12:00 | 10:00 | Peak morning alertness on body time. | Productive window. Use this energy for important tasks. |
| 15:00 | 13:00 | Post-lunch dip. Moderate energy. | Brief 20-min nap acceptable if severely fatigued. Avoid long naps. |
| 18:00 | 16:00 | Afternoon alertness on body time. | Good window for light exposure if adjusting westward. |
| 21:00 | 19:00 | Evening wind-down. Melatonin starting to rise. | Dim lights and avoid screens if you need to stay awake longer. |
| 00:00 | 22:00 | Natural sleep window on body time. | Ideal time to sleep if it aligns with local night. If not, use bright light to delay. |
| 03:00 | 01:00 | Deep sleep phase. Intense drowsiness likely. | If awake, use bright light to push clock forward. Avoid driving or complex tasks. |
Pre-departure preparation
To prepare for this 2-hour eastward shift to Dallas, begin adjusting 2 days before departure. Each night, move your bedtime 60 minutes earlier and wake correspondingly earlier. Seek bright light immediately upon waking. On departure day, set your watch to Dallas time and begin eating meals on that schedule. This pre-adjustment can reduce your recovery time by 1–2 days.
Your first 72 hours in Dallas
Day 1 in Dallas: Your body is ~2 hours off local time. Get bright sunlight in the morning. Avoid napping past 14:00. Eat at local mealtimes even if not hungry. Caffeine is fine before 14:00, not after. Day 2: ~1 hours off. Continue morning (07:00–10:00) light exposure. Sleep quality should improve. Day 3: ~0 hours off. You should feel mostly adjusted. Return to normal activities.
Recovery timeline
Full circadian adjustment for the Los Angeles → Dallas route typically takes 2 days, based on the body's natural adaptation rate of ~1 hour per day for eastbound travel. During this period, expect gradually improving sleep quality, with the most noticeable symptoms (fatigue, difficulty concentrating, appetite changes) during the first 2 days. By day 2, most travelers report feeling fully synchronized with Dallas's schedule.
Route Planner
Adjust departure date for DST-accurate results.
Business hours: Los Angeles vs Dallas
Los Angeles and Dallas share 7 overlapping business hours, providing a reasonable window for scheduling calls and meetings. The most productive overlap falls between 09:00 and 15:00 in Los Angeles (11:00–17:00 in Dallas).
| Los Angeles | Dallas |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | 11:00 |
| 10:00 | 12:00 |
| 11:00 | 13:00 |
| 12:00 | 14:00 |
| 13:00 | 15:00 |
| 14:00 | 16:00 |
| 15:00 | 17:00 |
- 09:00 Los Angeles / 11:00 Dallas
- 12:00 Los Angeles / 14:00 Dallas
Seasonal and climate factors
Flight times between Los Angeles and Dallas can vary by 15–30 minutes seasonally due to shifting wind patterns along this medium-haul corridor. Dallas at 33°N experiences moderate seasonal daylight variation. Summer offers longer evenings useful for westward adjustment, while winter's earlier sunsets support eastward adjustment schedules.
How the Los Angeles–Dallas flight time is estimated
The 2h 50m to 3h 23m estimate for Los Angeles to Dallas is derived from the 1,983-km great-circle distance. Medium-haul flights balance cruise and non-cruise phases, achieving effective speeds of 780–850 km/h. An additional 30–50 minutes accounts for taxi, takeoff, climb, descent, approach, and taxi at both LAX and DFW. Actual routing through controlled airspace may add 3–8% distance beyond the great-circle path due to air traffic corridors and restricted zones along the way.
Wind patterns and flight duration
Prevailing winds along the Los Angeles–Dallas corridor have a moderate effect on flight time. The general west-to-east flow of upper-level winds at these latitudes provides a slight tailwind advantage.
Practical travel context
This medium-haul route connects Los Angeles (United States) with Dallas (United States).
Frequently asked questions: Los Angeles to Dallas
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Dallas?
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and Dallas?
How bad is jet lag flying from Los Angeles to Dallas?
Can I minimize jet lag on the Los Angeles to Dallas route?
Is it better to fly during the day or at night from Los Angeles to Dallas?
How long does jet lag last from Los Angeles to Dallas?
What about the return flight from Dallas to Los Angeles?
More questions about this route
Should I adjust my schedule before flying from Los Angeles to Dallas?
What are the best business hours to schedule meetings between Los Angeles and Dallas?
How is the Los Angeles to Dallas flight time calculated?
Assumptions & notes
- Flight time based on Haversine great-circle distance (1,983 km) with speed heuristics.
- Cruise speed: 780–850 km/h + 30–50 min ground/air overhead.
- Time difference is approximate and may shift during DST transitions.
- Jet lag plan is general wellness guidance, not medical advice.
- Route: LAX (America/Los_Angeles) → DFW (America/Chicago)