San Francisco to Yellowstone: Road Trip Guide & Distance

767.3 miles 1234.9 km · straight line
986.6 miles actual route 1587.8 km · driving distance
18h 13min estimated drive time
$95 - $117 estimated fuel cost
~2h 3min flight time
49° NE bearing direction

How far is San Francisco from Yellowstone?

The distance from San Francisco to Yellowstone is 767.3 miles (1234.9 km) as the crow flies. Yellowstone is located NE of San Francisco. By car, the driving distance is approximately 986.6 miles, taking about 18h 13min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 3min. Both are located in United States — San Francisco in California and Yellowstone in Wyoming.

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. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. 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 San Francisco and Yellowstone. 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 San Francisco to Yellowstone

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 18h 13min $95 - $117 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 3min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~21h 52min $79–$148* Budget
Train ~23h 41min $118–$345* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between San Francisco & Yellowstone

Quick Facts

San Francisco
37.77°N, 122.42°W
America/Los_Angeles
16m elevation
Yellowstone
44.43°N, 110.59°W
America/Denver
2357m elevation
Explore more routes from Yellowstone

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 256 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 64 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 32.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM