How Long Does It Take for a Fighter Jet to Cross the Country?
Most people know fighter jets are incredibly fast, but just how fast? Modern jets can exceed Mach 1.8, cutting through the sky at breathtaking speeds. But when it comes to crossing the United States—say, from New York City to Los Angeles—how long would that actually take? Turns out, the answer depends on the jet.
Planes don’t follow winding roads, so the distance from New York to LA by air is about 2,445 miles. That’s a bit shorter than the 2,788 miles it takes by car. However, no fighter jet in the U.S. fleet can cover that distance without refueling, which adds time to the trip. Let’s break it down by looking at three jets: the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-22 Raptor, and the F-35A Lightning II.
The F-15E Strike Eagle: A Legacy of Speed
The F-15E Strike Eagle has been a workhorse since its introduction in the 1970s. Known for its speed and agility, this fourth-generation fighter-bomber can hit top speeds of Mach 2.5 (1,875 mph). But for a cross-country flight, it would likely cruise at 575 mph to conserve fuel.
With its conformal and external fuel tanks, the F-15E can fly up to 2,400 miles before needing to refuel. That’s just shy of the 2,445-mile trip from New York to LA, meaning it would need to refuel mid-air. The refueling process takes about 5 to 10 minutes, so adding 10 minutes to account for that, the trip would take around 4 hours and 25 minutes. Keep in mind, this estimate doesn’t factor in variables like weather, takeoff and landing, or potential delays.
The F-22 Raptor: Fifth-Generation Efficiency
The F-22 Raptor was designed for speed, stealth, and versatility. It’s a twin-engine fighter capable of reaching Mach 2.25 (1,726 mph). What sets the F-22 apart is its ability to supercruise, maintaining speeds above Mach 1.5 (about 1,150 mph) without afterburners.
With two external fuel tanks, the F-22 has a range of just over 1,850 miles, so it would definitely need a refuel to complete the trip. If the jet maintained its supercruise speed, the journey could theoretically take as little as 2 hours and 17 minutes. But since supercruise burns through fuel quickly, a more realistic cruising speed of 690 mph puts the total flight time at about 3 hours and 42 minutes, including a 10-minute refuel.
The F-35A Lightning II: Advanced and Adaptable
The F-35A is the Air Force’s latest fighter, introduced in 2015. Unlike the twin-engine F-15E and F-22, the F-35A relies on a single, state-of-the-art Pratt & Whitney F135 engine that produces 43,000 pounds of thrust. It can reach speeds of Mach 1.6 (1,227 mph), but its cruising speed is Mach 0.86 (659 mph).
The F-35A’s range is 1,350 miles using only its internal fuel tanks, meaning it’ll need to refuel at least once to make the cross-country trip. Including the time for refueling, the journey would take about 3 hours and 52 minutes. While not the fastest of the three, the F-35’s advanced technology and efficiency make it a standout in modern aviation.
So, Which Jet Is the Fastest?
If you’re purely looking at speed, the F-22’s supercruise gives it the edge. However, all three jets are incredibly capable machines with unique strengths. Whether it’s the proven performance of the F-15E, the stealth and speed of the F-22, or the cutting-edge tech of the F-35A, crossing the country in a fighter jet is a feat of precision and power.
No matter the jet, covering the distance from New York to LA in just a few hours is a testament to modern engineering—even if it requires a quick pit stop in the air.
