San Francisco to Chicago Flight Distance
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
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 1,846 miles, this medium-haul flight will take approximately 4h 10m. Consider bringing a book or downloading entertainment for the journey.
Time Adjustment: Chicago is 2 hours ahead of San Francisco. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 463 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs if environmental impact is a concern.
Flight Options: 5 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 1,846 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 2,971 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 1,604 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 4h 10m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | MEDIUM HAUL | Medium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 70° ENE | East-Northeast |
| Cruising Altitude | 37,000 ft | FL370 (11,278 m) |
| Time Difference | +2h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 463 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 1344 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 1854 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 42 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 89 L | ~16,020 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 5 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco, United States
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Chicago, United States
Airlines Flying This Route
5 airlines operate flights between San Francisco and Chicago.
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 | 1,846 mi |
| Kilometers | 2,971 km |
| Nautical Miles | 1,604 nm |
| Meters | 2,971,000 m |
| Feet | 9,746,880 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 4h 10m |
| Driving Time (80 km/h avg) | 5 days (37 hours) |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 2,971 km between San Francisco and Chicago at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 4h 10m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 5h 57m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 9h 17m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 29h 43m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 594h (25 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 2h 24m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from SFO
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is San Francisco from Chicago?
The flight distance from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is 1,846 miles (2,971 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 4h 10m. This is a medium-haul flight typically cruising at 37,000 feet (FL370).
What is the time difference?
Chicago is 2 hours ahead of San Francisco.
What airlines fly this route?
5 airlines operate this route: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways and 2 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 463 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 1344 kg. First class: 1854 kg. Offset with ~42 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this East-Northeast flight, the left side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from San Francisco to Chicago instead of flying?
While driving is technically possible at 2,971 km, it would take approximately 37 hours of non-stop driving. Flying saves you significant time, reducing travel to just 4h 10m.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This medium-haul route is typically served by Airbus A321, Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A320neo aircraft. A mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft may operate this route depending on demand.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 463 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 42 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.