What percentage of Chicago to San Francisco flights are direct?

In the trailing 90 days, approximately 43.2% of flights from Chicago to San Francisco have been direct. For flights that include stopovers, the median number of stopovers has historically been 2. Travelers can consider these options based on their preference for direct or connecting flights.

How long is the flight from Chicago to San Francisco?

The typical direct flight from Chicago to San Francisco has a duration of 4 hours and 49 minutes, covering a distance of 2965 kilometers. Flights with one stopover, on average, take considerably longer, with a median duration of 11 hours and 1 minute. Travelers should factor in these durations when planning their journey.

How often do cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco come up?

Historically, cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco have been classified as frequent. This indicates that travelers typically have regular opportunities to find good deals on this route. The availability of these deals has been consistent across the trailing 30 days.

Flights From Chicago

To San Francisco

Cheap Flights from Chicago to San Francisco

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Deals from

Chicago

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Francisco

Prices updated 2 days ago

405 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Jul 26, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to San Francisco

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Chicago to San Francisco

2026-08-12 – 2026-08-25
CHI - San Francisco
81% AI deal score
$343
$230
Round trip
2026-10-01 – 2026-10-06
CHI - San Francisco
69% AI deal score
$252
$232
Round trip
2026-08-17 – 2026-08-24
CHI - San Francisco
70% AI deal score
$253
$233
Round trip
2026-08-26 – 2026-08-27
CHI - San Francisco
71% AI deal score
$267
$233
Round trip
2026-08-12 – 2026-08-13
CHI - San Francisco
72% AI deal score
$282
$233
Round trip
2026-08-18 – 2026-08-27
CHI - San Francisco
68% AI deal score
$238
$233
Round trip
2026-08-17 – 2026-08-18
CHI - San Francisco
72% AI deal score
$274
$233
Round trip
2026-08-24 – 2026-08-25
CHI - San Francisco
71% AI deal score
$267
$233
Round trip
2026-08-25 – 2026-08-27
CHI - San Francisco
71% AI deal score
$267
$233
Round trip
2026-08-11 – 2026-08-31
CHI - San Francisco
66% AI deal score
$210
$233
Round trip

Chicago to San Francisco: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to San Francisco

For flights from Chicago to San Francisco, a meaningful share of itineraries are non-stop, with 43.2% of recent fares being direct. The remaining itineraries typically include 2 connections. This mix means you have options for both direct travel and routes with layovers, influencing overall journey time and cost.

When looking for cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco, fares are typically $272–$597, with a median of $387. Right now, current fares are below the typical level, and about 4% of recent fares were classified as a good price. New deals appear almost daily, offering frequent opportunities to find favorable prices.

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to San Francisco is typically in April, with a median fare of $222. March also offers competitive prices, with a median of $227, followed by November at a median of $277. Planning your trip during these months could result in significant savings.

A typical journey from Chicago to San Francisco takes about 4h 49m, including connections. For non-stop flights, the median duration is also 4h 49m. However, connecting itineraries have a significantly longer median duration of 14h 14m, so choosing a direct flight can save considerable travel time.

The distance between Chicago and San Francisco is approximately 2965 kilometers. This route is classified as a medium-haul journey, meaning it's a substantial flight that typically involves several hours in the air.

How much is a round trip from Chicago to San Francisco

Regular price: $233 - $549

Prices for flights from Chicago to San Francisco are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Chicago to San Francisco is $233 to $549. The current lowest deal is $225 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Sep 5-Sep 9.

now $225

Low $233

High $549

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to San Francisco

Flights from Chicago to San Francisco are cheapest in April, with a median price of $222. The most expensive month to fly is February, with a median price of $605. Generally, prices are lower from January to December.

April

Cheapest

Flights from $222

February

Most Expensive

Flights from $605

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to San Francisco

Wed, Jul 29

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - San Francisco

Chicago (MDW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$559

$392

One-way

Sun, Aug 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - San Francisco

Chicago (MDW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$605

$386

One-way

Sun, Aug 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - San Francisco

Chicago (MDW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$609

$398

One-way

Mon, Aug 3

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - San Francisco

Chicago (MDW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$545

$376

One-way

Tue, Aug 11

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - San Francisco

Chicago (ORD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$207

$233

One-way

Tue, Aug 11

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - San Francisco

Chicago (ORD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$282

$233

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to San Francisco

2 nights

Aug 2 - Aug 4

$605 → $386

36%

1 night

Aug 2 - Aug 3

$609 → $398

35%

3 nights

Aug 11 - Aug 14

$435 → $245

44%

1 night

Aug 25 - Aug 26

$418 → $240

43%

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to San Francisco

Chicago - San Francisco route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares from Chicago to San Francisco are below the typical level, with 4% good prices.

📅 Best time to fly

April is historically the cheapest month to fly

Historically, April is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to San Francisco, with a median price of $222.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 4h 49m

Direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco typically take 4h 49m, while connecting flights take 14h 14m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

43.2% of recent flights are direct

43.2% of recent flights from Chicago to San Francisco are direct, with connecting flights having 2 stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

United Airlines offers direct flights

United Airlines is one airline that offers direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently on this route

Deals on flights from Chicago to San Francisco appear frequently, so check often for good prices.

Chicago main airports to depart from

O Hare International (ORD)

Cheapest

Fly from O'Hare International for a wide range of options to San Francisco.

📍 ~25 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train).

💸 Flights from ~$172

San Francisco main airports to arrive at

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International Airport is a convenient arrival choice for flights from Chicago to San Francisco.

📍 ~18 km from San Francisco (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$172

Airports nearby San Francisco used as alternative

Oakland International (OAK)

Cheapest

Oakland International is a good alternative, especially with its extensive domestic network and BART rail access.

📍 ~18 km from San Francisco (reachable by BART rail system)

💸 Flights from ~$213

Business & First Class Flight Deals to San Francisco

90% AI deal score

$1,502

$845

Save $657

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Francisco

Historically, booking flights from Chicago to San Francisco 60+ days in advance has yielded the lowest average prices, around $398. Prices tend to increase as the departure date approaches. For instance, flights booked 28-59 days out typically average $457. Waiting until 0-6 days before departure can see average prices rise significantly to $1067.

Across the trailing quarter, a good deal for a flight from Chicago to San Francisco has been considered to be $272 or less. The median price for this route has historically been around $387. Prices exceeding $597 are typically in the more expensive range for this route.

Historically, the cheapest months to fly from Chicago to San Francisco have been April, with a median price of $222, and March, with a median price of $227. November has also shown lower median prices at $277. The annual median price for this route is typically around $387.

Related routes

More routes from Chicago

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Flights to San Francisco from other cities

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Chicago to San Francisco: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to San Francisco

How much is a round trip from Chicago to San Francisco

Regular price: $233 - $549

Prices for flights from Chicago to San Francisco are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Chicago to San Francisco is $233 to $549. The current lowest deal is $225 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Sep 5-Sep 9.

now $225

Low $233

High $549

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to San Francisco

April

Cheapest

Flights from $222

February

Most Expensive

Flights from $605

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to San Francisco

Wed, Jul 29

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - San Francisco

Chicago (MDW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$559

$392

One-way

Sun, Aug 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - San Francisco

Chicago (MDW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$605

$386

One-way

Sun, Aug 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - San Francisco

Chicago (MDW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$609

$398

One-way

Mon, Aug 3

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - San Francisco

Chicago (MDW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$545

$376

One-way

Tue, Aug 11

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - San Francisco

Chicago (ORD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$207

$233

One-way

Tue, Aug 11

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - San Francisco

Chicago (ORD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$282

$233

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to San Francisco

2 nights

Aug 2 - Aug 4

$605 → $386

36%

1 night

Aug 2 - Aug 3

$609 → $398

35%

3 nights

Aug 11 - Aug 14

$435 → $245

44%

1 night

Aug 25 - Aug 26

$418 → $240

43%

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to San Francisco