Carlsbad Caverns to San Francisco: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1081.4 miles 1740.4 km · straight line
1385 miles actual route 2228.9 km · driving distance
26h 34min estimated drive time
$133 - $164 estimated fuel cost
~2h 41min flight time
296° WNW bearing direction

How far is Carlsbad Caverns from San Francisco?

The distance from Carlsbad Caverns to San Francisco is 1081.4 miles (1740.4 km) as the crow flies. San Francisco is located WNW of Carlsbad Caverns. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1385 miles, taking about 26h 34min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 41min. Both are located in United States — Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and San Francisco in California.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Carlsbad Caverns and San Francisco. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Carlsbad Caverns to San Francisco

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 26h 34min $133 - $164 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 41min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~31h 53min $111–$208* Budget
Train ~34h 32min $166–$485* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Carlsbad Caverns & San Francisco

Quick Facts

Carlsbad Caverns
32.15°N, 104.56°W
America/Denver
1340m elevation
San Francisco
37.77°N, 122.42°W
America/Los_Angeles
16m elevation
Explore more routes from San Francisco

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 360 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 90 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 23 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM