Direction from U.S. to Spain: East/Northeast Across the Atlantic

General Heading

From the contiguous United States, travel east or northeast across the Atlantic Ocean to reach Spain.

Approximate Bearings from Major Cities

• New York → Madrid: ~055° (NE)
• Miami → Madrid: ~045° (NE)
• Los Angeles → Madrid: ~065° (ENE)
• Chicago → Madrid: ~050° (NE)

Practical Travel

• By air: Great circle routes (curved on flat maps) – 8–11 hours nonstop.
• By sea: Transatlantic crossing – 6–10 days (cruise/liner), longer for sail.

Why Not West?

Going west crosses the Pacific, then Asia—~3× the distance.