DCA → SFOUnited States → United States

Cheap flights from Washington to San Francisco

2,436 mi · 45m average nonstop

searchfareson Kayak
Depart
Return
Guests

We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

TripRoute is an affiliate partner — when you book via Kayak we may earn commission at no extra cost to you. See how it works.

Quick answer: Washington to San Francisco at a glance

2,436 mi
Distance
45m
Nonstop time
3 hours behind
Time-zone shift
~219 kg
CO₂ per passenger

Cheap flights from Washington (DCA) to San Francisco (SFO) cover 2,436 miles (3,919 km) in about 45m nonstop, with 2 airlines flying direct — a long-haul international route. Search Kayak for today's cheapest live fare. Route difficulty 5/10.

Summary computed from real OpenFlights coordinates — not an estimate. Prices update live on Kayak.

Flying from Washington to San Francisco covers 2,436 miles (3,920 km) in approximately 0 hour 45 minutes. 2 airlines offer direct flights on this long-haul international route. This is a long-haul international route requiring advance planning for connections and layovers.

Route
DCA (0 mi)SFO (2,436 mi)45m avg

Nonstop distance 2,436 miles. Direct carriers include UA and VX.

Fares on Kayak

We don't track historical prices for this route yet. Search live fares on Kayak for today's best price across 100+ airlines and booking sites.

nonstop carriers

Airlines on this route

2 airlines fly Washington → San Francisco. All are direct routes.

AirlineRoute type
UADirect
VXDirect
Baggage on Washington → San Francisco: on this route, UA typically includes a carry-on, while VX may charge extra for carry-on and seat selection. Check each carrier's baggage policy before booking — fees vary.
Get a fare-drop alert

Kayak can notify you when DCA → SFO fares drop — alerts are free on the same page you search and book.

Track it on Kayak — free price alertsSet alert

TripRoute is an affiliate partner — when you book via Kayak we may earn commission at no extra cost to you. See how it works.

faq

Washington to San Francisco — quick answers

How far is Washington from San Francisco by plane?

The nonstop flight distance from Washington (DCA) to San Francisco (SFO) is 2,436 miles (3,919 km), calculated as a great-circle line from published OpenFlights airport coordinates. Actual flown distance is slightly longer due to airways and winds.

How long is the flight from Washington to San Francisco?

The average nonstop flight time from DCA to SFO is 45 minutes. Gate-to-gate time is usually 20–35 minutes longer; connecting itineraries add 1–4 hours depending on the layover.

Which airlines fly from Washington to San Francisco?

2 airlines serve this route nonstop: UA, VX. Schedules and amenities differ by carrier — compare live frequencies and fare classes on Kayak before you book.

more from DCA

More flights from Washington

more to SFO

Flights to San Francisco from elsewhere

computed route data

Route insights: Washington → San Francisco

Route type
long-haul international
Time zone difference
3 hours behind
Carbon footprint
~219 kg CO₂ per passenger (economy)
Route difficulty
5/10 — standard route
When to go
It's shoulder season in San Francisco — often the best balance of weather and price.
Airport transfer
Most travelers reach the city center by taxi, airport shuttle, or public transit. Allow 30-60 minutes depending on traffic.
Route competitiveness
2 airlines fly direct — rank 73 of 91 routes from Washington
Airline network
UA: 6 destinations from DCA; VX: 1 destinations from DCA
Alternative origin airports
IAD (Washington, 23 mi); BWI (Baltimore, 30 mi); SBY (Salisbury, 89 mi)
Alternative destination airports
OAK (Oakland, 11 mi); SJC (San Jose, 30 mi); SMF (Sacramento, 86 mi)
Nearby destinations
Oakland, United States (11 mi); San Jose, United States (30 mi); Sacramento, United States (86 mi)
related pages

Explore this route

Data: OpenFlights public aviation database·Updated: 2026-08-19
View deal
No booking fees

Affiliate link to Kayak — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.