Los Angeles to San Francisco Flight Distance
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Primary sources · 6
- [1] Vincenty (1975) — Direct and Inverse Solutions of Geodesics on the Ellipsoid — the iterative formula used for distance · Survey Review XXIII (176), pp. 88–93 · April 1975 https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/PUBS_LIB/inverse.pdf
- [2] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84 — WGS-84 reference ellipsoid (a = 6,378,137 m, 1/f = 298.257223563) · NGA Standard · July 2014 https://earth-info.nga.mil/index.php?dir=wgs84&action=wgs84
- [3] DESNZ 2024 conversion factors — Per-km kg CO₂e factors for the three distance bands and four cabin classes · UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · June 2024 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2024
- [4] Lee et al. (2021) — Effective radiative forcing of aviation — the science behind the 1.9 × CO₂ → CO₂e uplift · Atmospheric Environment 244, 117834 · January 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117834
- [5] OpenFlights — Airport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
- [6] Sack (2010) — Jet-lag review — clinical chronobiology and asymmetric recovery rates · New England Journal of Medicine 362:440 · February 2010 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp0909838
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Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 337 miles, this short-haul flight will take approximately 1h 8m. This is a relatively quick flight where you may not even need entertainment.
Time Adjustment: San Francisco is 0 hours ahead of Los Angeles. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 138 kg of CO2. This is relatively low for air travel.
Flight Options: 7 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 337 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 543 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 293 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 1h 8m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | SHORT HAUL | Short-haul flight (under 1,500 km) |
| Flight Direction | 320° NW | Northwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 33,000 ft | FL330 (10,058 m) |
| Time Difference | +0h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 138 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 402 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 554 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 13 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 16 L | ~2,880 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 7 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles, United States
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco, United States
Airlines Flying This Route
7 airlines operate flights between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Flight Details
Flight Midpoint
The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:
Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class
CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.
Jet Lag & Travel Tips
- Minimal time difference - jet lag unlikely
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 337 mi |
| Kilometers | 543 km |
| Nautical Miles | 293 nm |
| Meters | 543,000 m |
| Feet | 1,779,360 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 1h 8m |
| Driving Time (80 km/h avg) | 7 hours |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 543 km between Los Angeles and San Francisco at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 1h 8m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 1h 5m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 1h 42m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 5h 26m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 109h (5 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 0h 26m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from LAX
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Los Angeles from San Francisco?
The flight distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 337 miles (543 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 1h 8m. This is a short-haul flight typically cruising at 33,000 feet (FL330).
What is the time difference?
San Francisco is 0 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
What airlines fly this route?
7 airlines operate this route: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and 4 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 138 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 402 kg. First class: 554 kg. Offset with ~13 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this Northwest flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco instead of flying?
While driving is technically possible at 543 km, it would take approximately 7 hours of non-stop driving. Flying saves you significant time, reducing travel to just 1h 8m.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This short-haul route is typically served by Airbus A320, Boeing 737, Embraer E190 aircraft. These are narrow-body aircraft designed for efficient short-distance travel.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 138 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 13 trees, purchasing verified carbon credits through programs like Gold Standard or Verra, or supporting renewable energy projects. Many airlines also offer built-in carbon offset options during booking.
External Resources & References
Learn more about the airports, aviation data, and carbon emissions methodology used in this calculation.