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How far is San Francisco, CA, from Chicago, IL?

The distance between Chicago (Chicago Midway International Airport) and San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport) is 1855 miles / 2985 kilometers / 1612 nautical miles.

The driving distance from Chicago (MDW) to San Francisco (SFO) is 2139 miles / 3442 kilometers, and travel time by car is about 37 hours 4 minutes.

Chicago Midway International Airport – San Francisco International Airport

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1855
Miles
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2985
Kilometers
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1612
Nautical miles

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Distance from Chicago to San Francisco

There are several ways to calculate the distance from Chicago to San Francisco. Here are two standard methods:

Vincenty's formula (applied above)
  • 1854.540 miles
  • 2984.593 kilometers
  • 1611.551 nautical miles

Vincenty's formula calculates the distance between latitude/longitude points on the earth's surface using an ellipsoidal model of the planet.

Haversine formula
  • 1850.116 miles
  • 2977.473 kilometers
  • 1607.707 nautical miles

The haversine formula calculates the distance between latitude/longitude points assuming a spherical earth (great-circle distance – the shortest distance between two points).

How long does it take to fly from Chicago to San Francisco?

The estimated flight time from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is 4 hours and 0 minutes.

Flight carbon footprint between Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

On average, flying from Chicago to San Francisco generates about 204 kg of CO2 per passenger, and 204 kilograms equals 451 pounds (lbs). The figures are estimates and include only the CO2 generated by burning jet fuel.

Map of flight path and driving directions from Chicago to San Francisco

See the map of the shortest flight path between Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Airport information

Origin Chicago Midway International Airport
City: Chicago, IL
Country: United States Flag of United States
IATA Code: MDW
ICAO Code: KMDW
Coordinates: 41°47′9″N, 87°45′8″W
Destination San Francisco International Airport
City: San Francisco, CA
Country: United States Flag of United States
IATA Code: SFO
ICAO Code: KSFO
Coordinates: 37°37′8″N, 122°22′30″W

Airlines flying from Chicago (MDW) to San Francisco (SFO)

AirTran Airways
Southwest Airlines