Salt Lake City to San Francisco: Road Trip Guide & Distance

599.3 miles 964.5 km · straight line
737.2 miles actual route 1186.4 km · driving distance
12h 45min estimated drive time
$71 - $87 estimated fuel cost
~1h 42min flight time
253° WSW bearing direction

How far is Salt Lake City from San Francisco?

The distance from Salt Lake City to San Francisco is 599.3 miles (964.5 km) as the crow flies. San Francisco is located WSW of Salt Lake City. By car, the driving distance is approximately 737.2 miles, taking about 12h 45min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 42min. Both are located in United States — Salt Lake City in Utah 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City to San Francisco

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 12h 45min $71 - $87 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 42min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~15h 18min $59–$111* Budget
Train ~16h 35min $88–$258* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Salt Lake City & San Francisco

Quick Facts

Salt Lake City
40.76°N, 111.89°W
America/Denver
1288m 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 200 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 50 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 41.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM