San Francisco to Raleigh/Durham (SFO–RDU) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
SFO–RDU is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. United Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 2,394 miles in approximately 5h 2m. Beyond nonstop, 119 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines Also: VA | 39 | 738, 739, 7M8, 7M9 | 5h02-5h26 | Star Alliance | VA |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Raleigh/Durham from San Francisco
| Metric | SFO→RDU | SJC→RDU |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from SFO | – | 30 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 53 | – |
| Flight time | 5h 2m | 4h 16m |
| Departure OTP | 78% | – |
Travel Essentials
SFO: PDT · RDU: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in San Francisco, it's 9:00 PM in Raleigh/Durham.
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.
Uber and Lyft from RDU to downtown Raleigh cost $20–30 (20–25 min); to downtown Durham: $18–25 (15–20 min). Pickup zones are on the lower level at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Taxis are available at the curb ($30–40 to Raleigh).GoTriangle Route 100 ($2.25) is a budget option to downtown Raleigh and Durham; check hours before relying on it for evening or early-morning flights. Rental car desks are in the terminal buildings with cars in the adjacent garage. Chapel Hill is 20–25 minutes via US-15-501.
Humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild but variable winters. Summer (June–August) temperatures reach 33–37°C with high humidity. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent and can cause ground holds. The region sits in a tornado risk corridor during spring (April–May).
Winter (December–February) is generally mild at 2–12°C. The Piedmont of North Carolina experiences ice storms. Freezing rain events, common every 1–2 years, are the primary disruption risk. Snow is lighter than areas further north, but ice can be severe. Autumn (September–November) is the most operationally stable season.
SFO–RDU Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SFO to RDU
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) are connected by nonstop service from United Airlines. With 53 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
SFO to RDU Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SFO to RDU ranges from 5 hours 2 minutes to 5 hours 26 minutes. The route covers a distance of 2,394 miles (3,853 km). There are approximately 53 weekly flights outbound and 54 return, totaling 107 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
119 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 5 hours via JCI. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include San Jose (SJC).