San Francisco to Washington (SFO–DCA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
SFO–DCA is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines and Alaska Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 2,436 miles in approximately 5h 6m. Beyond nonstop, 75 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines Also: NZ, VA | 14 | 7M8, B38M | 5h26-5h27 | Star Alliance | NZ, VA | |
| AS Alaska Airlines Also: FJ, HA, QF | 7 | B38M | 5h24 | Oneworld | FJ, HA, QF |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Washington from San Francisco
| Metric | SFO→DCA | SJC→DCA |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from SFO | – | 30 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 56 | – |
| Flight time | 5h 6m | 4h 17m |
| Departure OTP | 93% | – |
Travel Essentials
SFO: PDT · DCA: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in San Francisco, it's 9:00 PM in Washington.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) runs from downtown San Francisco (Embarcadero, Powell St.) to the SFO station and then a free AirTrain shuttle to all terminals (30–40 min from Embarcadero, $10.45). BART also connects Oakland and Berkeley; useful for East Bay travelers. Trains run from ~4am to midnight.Taxis from downtown San Francisco cost $40–60. Ride-hails (Uber, Lyft) pick up in the designated area in the garage and are often $30–50 depending on surge pricing. SamTrans buses serve Peninsula cities. Highway 101 and I-280 are heavily congested during commute hours; BART is faster than driving at those times.
The Metro station is inside Terminal B/C with covered walkway access; Terminal A requires a short outdoor walk or shuttle. Yellow and Blue line trains run to downtown DC in 15–25 minutes for $2.25–$3.85.
Taxis and Uber/Lyft operate from designated pick-up zones outside each terminal; fares to downtown run $15–30. DCA serves the National Mall area and is well-positioned for the U.S. Capitol, Pentagon, and downtown offices. International arrivals clear customs at DCA only for pre-cleared flights; most international traffic uses IAD (Dulles). Rental cars are in a consolidated facility accessible by shuttle.
Humid subtropical climate. Summers (June–August) are hot and very humid at 29–34°C with frequent afternoon thunderstorms causing ground stops and airspace flow programs. The summer storm season is the primary operational disruption risk at DCA. Spring and autumn are transitional with variable conditions and occasional severe thunderstorm outbreaks.
Winters (December–February) bring cold temperatures (−2 to 7°C) with occasional snowstorms that disproportionately affect the DC area due to limited snow-removal infrastructure. Even moderate snowfall (5–10 cm) can shut regional airports for hours. Pack layers for winter; the region's storm response is notoriously inconsistent.
SFO–DCA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SFO to DCA
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are connected by nonstop service from Alaska Airlines and United Airlines. With 56 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
SFO to DCA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SFO to DCA ranges from 5 hours 6 minutes to 5 hours 31 minutes. The route covers a distance of 2,436 miles (3,921 km). There are approximately 56 weekly flights outbound and 56 return, totaling 112 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
75 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 6 hours via TUL. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include San Jose (SJC).