Denver to San Diego
2h 07m The flight from Denver International Airport (DEN) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) covers 1,371 km (852 miles) and takes approximately 2h 07m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 239°, passing near 36.5° N, 111.2° 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 | 2h 30m | 2h 55m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 1h 45m | 2h 11m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 1h 31m | 1h 57m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 1h 37m | 2h 02m |
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
| DEN | SAN | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Denver International Airport | San Diego International Airport |
| City | Denver | San Diego |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KDEN | KSAN |
| Coordinates | 39.86, -104.6738 | 32.7336, -117.19 |
| Elevation | 5,431 ft | 17 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Denver to San Diego?
A non-stop flight from Denver (DEN) to San Diego (SAN) takes about 2h 07m. The great-circle distance is 1,371 km (852 miles, 740 nautical miles), flying south-west on an initial bearing of 239°.
How far is Denver from San Diego?
1,371 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 852 miles or 740 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 DEN and SAN?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 1,371 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.