Chicago to San Francisco
4h 07m The flight from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) covers 2,977 km (1,850 miles) and takes approximately 4h 07m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads west on an initial great-circle bearing of 273°, passing near 41.0° N, 105.6° W at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 5h 25m | 5h 50m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 3h 49m | 4h 14m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 3h 18m | 3h 44m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 3h 30m | 3h 55m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| MDW | SFO | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Chicago Midway International Airport | San Francisco International Airport |
| City | Chicago | San Francisco |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KMDW | KSFO |
| Coordinates | 41.786, -87.7524 | 37.6198, -122.3748 |
| Elevation | 620 ft | 13 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Chicago to San Francisco?
A non-stop flight from Chicago (MDW) to San Francisco (SFO) takes about 4h 07m. The great-circle distance is 2,977 km (1,850 miles, 1,608 nautical miles), flying west on an initial bearing of 273°.
How far is Chicago from San Francisco?
2,977 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 1,850 miles or 1,608 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between MDW and SFO?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 2,977 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.