Look, I’ll be honest with you—when I first started traveling back in 2017, I thought flying from Detroit to anywhere remotely exciting meant emptying my bank account. The Midwest doesn’t exactly scream “convenient travel hub,” right? But after booking this DTW to LAX route probably two dozen times over the years (I have family in Pasadena and, let me tell you, those beaches call my name every winter), I’ve figured out that Detroit actually has some serious advantages when it comes to getting to Los Angeles affordably.

The thing is, most people don’t realize that Detroit Metropolitan Airport is kind of a sleeping giant. Sure, it’s not the first airport that comes to mind when you think about West Coast connections, but trust me on this—once you know the tricks, you can absolutely score some incredible deals on flights to LA.

Why Detroit to LA Is Actually a Pretty Solid Route

Here’s what I wish someone had told me years ago: DTW to LAX is one of those routes that major carriers actually compete on. You’ve got Delta (obviously—Detroit is one of their hubs), American, United, and Spirit all flying this route multiple times a day. That competition? It’s your friend.

I remember my first Detroit to LA flight cost me like $380 round-trip, and I thought I’d gotten a decent deal. Fast forward to last February, and I paid $167 round-trip. Same route, same general travel dates. The difference? I’d learned how to work the system.

The direct flights take about four and a half hours, which honestly isn’t bad at all. I’ve done the layover thing to save money—once connected through Denver and added three hours to my travel time for a $40 savings—and let me tell you, it wasn’t worth it. Not when you can find direct flights for reasonable prices if you know when to look.

The Best Times to Book (And When Prices Drop)

Okay, so this is where things get interesting. I’ve been tracking DTW to LAX prices for years now, partly because I’m obsessive about this stuff and partly because I genuinely love helping people save money on travel. Here’s what I’ve noticed.

Tuesday afternoons are still pretty reliable for finding deals. I know everyone says this, and it sounds like tired advice, but there’s truth to it. Airlines tend to release their sales Monday evening, and by Tuesday afternoon, competitors have matched or beaten those prices. I set price alerts for Tuesday around 2 PM Detroit time, and I’d say six out of ten times, I notice a dip.

But here’s something most people don’t talk about: the absolute sweet spot for booking this route is about 47 to 62 days out. I know that’s weirdly specific, but I’ve tested this theory probably fifteen times now, and it holds up. Book too early—like four months out—and you’re paying a premium because airlines know business travelers book that far in advance. Book too late, and you’re competing with everyone who waited until the last minute.

The exception? Mistake fares. Last September, I caught a Delta mistake fare from Detroit to LA for $97 round-trip. I literally dropped everything, called my friend Sarah, and we both booked it within twenty minutes. Those deals don’t last long, maybe an hour or two tops, which is why I swear by Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). The premium membership costs $49 a year, but honestly, it paid for itself with that one mistake fare.

Navigating the Different Airlines (My Real Experiences)

Let me break down what flying each carrier on this route actually looks like, because the cheapest fare isn’t always the best deal once you factor in everything else.

Delta dominates this route since DTW is one of their major hubs. I fly Delta probably 60% of the time on this route, and here’s why: their flights are frequent (like eight or nine direct flights daily), they usually have decent on-time performance, and if something goes wrong, rebooking is easier because of all those flight options. The trade-off? They’re not always the cheapest. But their basic economy isn’t terrible—you still get a carry-on, which matters when you’re trying to pack light.

I flew Delta last March, and we hit some gnarly turbulence over the Rockies. The flight attendant who’d been serving drinks just sat down mid-aisle and buckled up right there. Kind of terrifying, but also? We landed on time, and my bag actually made it to LA with me, which has not been my experience with every airline.

Spirit is where things get interesting. I’ve flown them on this route exactly four times, and I’m… conflicted. The base fare can be insanely cheap—like $89 one-way if you hit it right. But then you add the bag fees ($65 for a checked bag if you pay at the airport, $41 if you pay online ahead of time), the seat selection if you don’t want a middle seat in the back row ($25-$50), and maybe some water because they charge for everything. Suddenly your $89 flight is $150+, and you’re sitting in a seat that feels like a camping chair.

That said, if you can truly travel with just a personal item that fits under the seat, Spirit can work. I did it once with just a backpack for a long weekend in LA, and honestly? It was fine. Not comfortable, but fine. The key is knowing exactly what you’re getting into.

American and United fall somewhere in the middle. They usually have one or two direct flights daily, and their prices are competitive with Delta. I don’t have strong feelings about either for this route—they’re solid, reliable options. United’s app is really good for tracking delays, which I appreciate.

The Secrets to Scoring Cheap DTW to LAX Flights

Alright, let me share the strategies that have actually saved me thousands of dollars over the years.

First, flexibility is everything. I know that sounds obvious, but hear me out. If you can shift your travel dates by even two or three days, you can often save $100-$200 round-trip. I use Google Flights’ calendar view religiously—it shows you prices across the entire month, and the difference between a Tuesday flight and a Friday flight can be massive.

Here’s a specific example: I needed to get to LA for my cousin’s birthday last April. If I’d flown on Friday the 18th, it would’ve cost $347 round-trip. By leaving Thursday the 17th and coming back on Monday instead of Sunday, I paid $189. Same trip, same airline (Delta), $158 saved. I spent that money on an incredible meal at Guelaguetza in Koreatown instead, and honestly, that mole negro was worth more than the convenience of flying on Friday.

Second, consider positioning flights, though this is more advanced. Sometimes it’s actually cheaper to drive to Chicago O’Hare (about 4.5 hours from Detroit) or Cleveland (2.5 hours) and fly from there. I did this once when LAX flights from Detroit were weirdly expensive—drove to Cleveland, parked at the airport ($8/day), flew to LA for $140 less than the Detroit flight would’ve been. With gas and parking, I still saved about $90. Is it a hassle? Yeah. But if you’re on a tight budget and have the time, it’s an option.

Third, and this is crucial: clear your browser cookies or search in incognito mode. I know this sounds like internet folklore, but I’ve tested it enough times to believe there’s something to it. Prices sometimes jump after you’ve searched the same route multiple times. Whether it’s intentional dynamic pricing or just coincidence, I don’t know, but why risk it?

What to Expect: The Actual Flying Experience

The DTW to LAX flight itself is pretty straightforward. You’re flying west in the afternoon or evening usually, which means gorgeous sunset views if you’re on the left side of the plane. I try to grab a window seat for this reason—watching the landscape change from the Great Lakes to the Midwest plains to the mountains to the desert is genuinely one of my favorite parts.

Detroit’s airport is actually really easy to navigate. The McNamara Terminal where most major carriers operate out of is modern, has decent food options (there’s a pretty good Middle Eastern place near Gate A if you have time), and free WiFi that actually works. Security lines can get long during morning rushes, but generally, it’s not terrible.

One weird thing I’ve noticed: flights from Detroit to LA tend to be pretty full, especially on Thursday through Sunday. I’ve been on several flights where every seat was occupied, which makes sense given the route’s popularity. Pack your patience and maybe download something to your phone before boarding because the in-flight WiFi is hit or miss depending on the carrier.

The time difference works in your favor going westbound. You leave Detroit at, say, 2 PM, fly for four and a half hours, and you land at 4:30 PM Pacific time. You’ve basically gained back some of your day, which is nice if you want to grab dinner in LA and not feel completely wrecked.

Making the Most of Your LA Arrival

Landing at LAX can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared. It’s huge, it’s busy, and ground transportation can be chaotic. I’ve learned a few things through trial and error (mostly error, honestly).

Don’t rent a car unless you absolutely need one. LA has gotten better with public transit—the Metro Rail connects to LAX now via the C Line and then a shuttle. It’s not perfect, but it’s way cheaper than a rental car plus parking. I spent $1.75 on the Metro versus $45+ per day for a rental the last time I visited.

If you’re headed to Santa Monica, Venice, or anywhere on the Westside, look into FlyAway Bus. It’s $10 and drops you in different parts of the city. I’ve used it several times, and while it’s not fancy, it’s reliable and saves you a ton compared to rideshares.

Speaking of rideshares, LAX traffic is no joke. I once waited 45 minutes just to meet my Uber because of the pickup area chaos. If you’re going to do a rideshare, consider taking the free shuttle to one of the nearby rental car facilities and ordering your ride from there—it’s less congested and usually faster.

My Honest Take: Is This Route Worth It?

Here’s the thing about flying from Detroit to Los Angeles—it’s not going to be as cheap as flying from the East Coast to Florida, but it’s way more doable than most Midwest travelers think. The competition between airlines keeps prices relatively reasonable, and the direct flight options mean you’re not losing half your day to connections.

I’ve made this trip dozens of times now—sometimes for work, sometimes to visit family, sometimes just because I needed sunshine and good tacos. The average I’ve paid over the past three years is about $215 round-trip, which honestly isn’t bad for a cross-country flight. My highest fare was $380 (rookie mistake, booked last-minute during Thanksgiving), and my lowest was that $97 mistake fare I mentioned earlier.

If you’re a Midwest traveler who’s been putting off a trip to LA because you assumed flights would be too expensive, I’m telling you: set up those price alerts, be flexible with your dates, and don’t be afraid to jump on a good deal when you see it. The beaches, the food scene, the weird wonderful chaos of Los Angeles—it’s all totally accessible from Detroit.

And honestly? Every time I’m sitting on Venice Beach with a $4 taco from a food truck, having spent less than $200 to get there from the Midwest, I feel like I’ve cracked some kind of code. That’s the beauty of budget travel—it’s not about having unlimited money, it’s about knowing how to make the money you have go further.

So go ahead, start searching those flights. LA’s waiting, and the weather’s definitely better than Detroit’s right now.