To go as the crow flies is to take the most direct route somewhere. Going as the crow flies is the shortest path between two points. This expression has to do with traveling—in a very specific way.

Can you do as the crow flies on Google Maps?

Fortunately, Google Maps lets you find out the distance between any two points on the globe — either as the crow flies, or using an actual travel route along roads and pathways.

How far is it from the East Coast to the West Coast as the crow flies?

The distance between the east and west as the crow flies is 4,030 km (2,500 mi), or 3,685 km (2,290 mi) from north to south.