They are both massively big countries. Anywhere between 1700 and 9400 miles apart.

At their closest (Attu Island in the Aleutians -- Alaska -- to North East China), the USA and China are only 1703 miles / 2738 km apart.

That's about the same as California to East Texas.

From middle of China to middle of USA, straightline distance, is (very roughly) 6989 miles / 11,248 km.

Capital to capital -- DC to Beijing, is 6937 miles / 11,164 km.

The far end of the one country to the other (Florida Keys to the far end of Hainan Island) is 9359 miles / 15,062 km.

 Air miles minneapolis to Charleston, SC