San Francisco, United States → New York, United States · ✈ 5h 40min · 🚗 67h 6min
2,229 nautical miles · Time difference: +3h ahead · Direction: northeast
The distance from San Francisco to New York is 4,129 km (2,566 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 5h 40min.
The straight-line distance from San Francisco, United States to New York, United States is approximately 4,129 kilometers (2,566 miles or 2,229 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
New York is located northeast of San Francisco. San Francisco is in North America, in the West Coast region of United States, while New York is in North America, in Northeast, United States. Both cities are in North America.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 4,129 km | ~5h 40min | Best option for speed |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from San Francisco to New York. For 4,129 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
San Francisco sits at 37.7749°N, 122.4194°W, while New York is located at 40.7128°N, 74.0060°W. The initial compass bearing from San Francisco to New York is 70° (ENE), so a great-circle flight path leaves San Francisco heading roughly ENE. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 2.94° and the longitude difference is 48.41°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between San Francisco and New York is approximately 41.8465°N, 98.7522°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 2,065 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
New York is roughly 3 hours ahead of San Francisco. When it is 09:00 in San Francisco, it is approximately 12:00 in New York. A 3-hour shift is small enough that most travelers adjust within a day. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
San Francisco is a major city in United States with a population of approximately 873,965. Located in the West Coast region, it is an important hub in North America. Despite its smaller size, San Francisco plays an important regional role in United States and attracts visitors year-round.
→ See all distances from San Francisco
New York is a notable city in United States with a population of approximately 8,336,817. Situated in the Northeast region, it serves as a key destination in North America. New York is one of United States's largest cities, offering major airport hubs, extensive public transport, and a wide range of accommodation options.
→ See all distances from New York
4,129 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
The 4,129 km between San Francisco and New York means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 13.8 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 5h 40min.
Despite both being in United States, San Francisco and New York are 4,129 km apart — a reminder of how vast the country is. Flying is the only practical option, and the journey likely involves crossing multiple climate zones and time zones.
See how the San Francisco to New York distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from San Francisco to New York is approximately 4,129 kilometers (2,566 miles, 2,229 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 5h 40min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 67h 6min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
New York is approximately +3h ahead compared to San Francisco.
The estimated road distance is approximately 5,368 km, which is about 30% longer than the 4,129 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: May 30, 2026.