On March 6, 1990, an SR-71 Blackbird flew from Palmdale, CA (LA area) to Dullas Airport, DC, in 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 20 seconds. I was a senior in high school and remember reading this in the newspaper and my jaw dropping.
SR-71 pilot tells the story of when he and his RSO set four speed records flying from L.A. to D.C. in less than 65 minutes during their final flight in the Blackbird
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/sr-71-pilot-tells-the-story-of-when-he-and-his-rso-set-four-speed-records-flying-from-l-a-to-d-c-in-less-than-65-minutes-during-their-final-flight-in-the-blackbird/I attempted to recreate some of the excitement by setting Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 to that date and following the flight with a single engine Piper Cherokee 180. I could have done this a little faster traveling by myself, but I didn't want to be bored, so I added Benny+luggage to my payload.
My results:
Left KPMD 3/6/90 at 6:30 AM PST
Touched down at KLSB at 12:13 PM MST - KLSB is Lordsburg, NM
Note: 4:43 in the air here. I was hampered speed-wise by the fact I flew this at 10k feet instead of my usual 7k.
Left KLSB w/liftoff at 12:54 PM MST
Touched down at 60F at 6:19 PM CST
Note: 4:25 in the air. Spending night number one in Seymour, TX.
Left 60F 3/7/90 at 7:30 AM CST
Touched down at KHKA at 11:47 AM CST - KHKA is Blytheville, AR.
Note: 4:17 in the air. First leg of journey flown entirely at 7k feet.
Left KHKA w/liftoff at 12:28 PM CST
Touched down at KLWB at 5:38 PM EST - KLWB is in the mountains at 2303' elevation.
Note: 4:10 in the air. Spending night number two in Lewisburg, WV.
Left KLWB 3/8/90 at 7:00 AM EST
Touched down at KIAD at 8:24 AM EST
Note: 1:24 in the air.
Total of 18 hours and 59 minutes of flying.
Alternately, a direct flight from LAX to IAD is 4 hours and 49 minutes.
maps.google.com says that it's 38 hours and five minutes of driving from Palmdale, CA to Dulles airport.
