Houston to San Francisco
3h 41m The flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) covers 2,627 km (1,632 miles) and takes approximately 3h 41m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 296°, passing near 34.5° N, 108.2° 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 | 4h 47m | 5h 12m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 3h 22m | 3h 47m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 2h 55m | 3h 20m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 3h 05m | 3h 31m |
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
| IAH | SFO | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | George Bush Intercontinental Airport | San Francisco International Airport |
| City | Houston | San Francisco |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KIAH | KSFO |
| Coordinates | 29.9844, -95.3414 | 37.6198, -122.3748 |
| Elevation | 97 ft | 13 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Houston to San Francisco?
A non-stop flight from Houston (IAH) to San Francisco (SFO) takes about 3h 41m. The great-circle distance is 2,627 km (1,632 miles, 1,419 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 296°.
How far is Houston from San Francisco?
2,627 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 1,632 miles or 1,419 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 IAH and SFO?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 2,627 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.