According to google maps it's about 7200 miles to hit the east coast or 7800 miles to hit the west coast.
So yeah technically closer but surprisingly close.
Plus going for west coast is mostly over ocean or China so less US military bases that would maybe be able to intercept it.
People who are religious in the end have faith because they are selfish. They will perpetuate a religious belief that overall creates a worse world for everyone living (wars, enforced ideology, etc) in the hopes that they can have an afterlife of bliss and excess.