New York to San Francisco: Road Trip Guide & Distance

2565.7 miles 4129.1 km · straight line
2914.7 miles actual route 4690.8 km · driving distance
51h 18min estimated drive time
$281 - $345 estimated fuel cost
~5h 40min flight time
282° WNW bearing direction

How far is New York from San Francisco?

The distance from New York to San Francisco is 2565.7 miles (4129.1 km) as the crow flies. San Francisco is located WNW of New York. By car, the driving distance is approximately 2914.7 miles, taking about 51h 18min. A direct flight would take roughly 5h 40min. Both are located in United States — New York in New York 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 New York 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 New York to San Francisco

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 51h 18min $281 - $345 Flexible stops
Fly ~5h 40min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~61h 34min $233–$437* Budget
Train ~66h 41min $350–$1020* Comfort

Quick Facts

New York
40.71°N, 74.01°W
America/New_York
10m 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 855 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 214 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 9.7 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM