What percentage of Detroit to San Francisco flights are direct?

Across the trailing quarter, approximately 70% of flights from Detroit to San Francisco are direct. This indicates a high availability of non-stop options for this route. For flights that do include stopovers, the median number of stopovers is typically two. Travelers can often find convenient direct connections for this journey.

How long is the flight from Detroit to San Francisco?

The direct flight from Detroit to San Francisco typically takes about 5 hours and 6 minutes. This corresponds to a median duration of 306 minutes for non-stop journeys. For flights with one stop, the median duration extends to approximately 10 hours and 41 minutes, or 641 minutes. The distance covered on this route is 3339 kilometers.

Should I set a price alert for Detroit to San Francisco flights?

Historically, flights from Detroit to San Francisco are classified as a regular deal route. This means that price fluctuations and deals occur with some consistency. Setting a price alert can be a beneficial strategy to monitor these changes. Travelers may find opportunities to secure more favorable fares by tracking price movements for this route.

Flights From Detroit

To San Francisco

Cheap Flights from Detroit to San Francisco

Browse current best options from Detroit. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

Detroit

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

Prices updated 7 days ago

482 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

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

Today’s best flight deals from Detroit to San Francisco

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Detroit to San Francisco

2026-12-15 – 2027-01-12
DTT - San Francisco
91% AI deal score
$485
$145
Round trip
2026-12-14 – 2027-01-12
DTT - San Francisco
91% AI deal score
$485
$145
Round trip
2027-02-17 – 2027-02-23
DTT - San Francisco
88% AI deal score
$280
$151
Round trip
2027-02-03 – 2027-02-09
DTT - San Francisco
89% AI deal score
$283
$151
Round trip
2026-12-15 – 2027-01-13
DTT - San Francisco
90% AI deal score
$485
$151
Round trip
2027-01-12 – 2027-02-02
DTT - San Francisco
82% AI deal score
$198
$151
Round trip
2027-01-12 – 2027-01-19
DTT - San Francisco
84% AI deal score
$222
$151
Round trip
2026-12-14 – 2027-01-13
DTT - San Francisco
90% AI deal score
$485
$151
Round trip
2027-01-12 – 2027-02-09
DTT - San Francisco
81% AI deal score
$197
$152
Round trip
2027-01-12 – 2027-01-26
DTT - San Francisco
82% AI deal score
$206
$152
Round trip

Detroit to San Francisco: Overview

Insights for flights from Detroit to San Francisco

Most itineraries for flights from Detroit to San Francisco connect at least once, with only 0.7% of recent fares being non-stop. For connecting itineraries, the typical number of connections is 2. This means that while direct options are rare, you'll generally find routes with multiple stops.

A typical journey from Detroit to San Francisco takes 5h 6m, including connections. This duration accounts for the fact that most flights on this route involve at least one stopover, with connecting itineraries having a median duration of 19h 7m. For those rare non-stop options, the flight time is also 5h 6m.

The distance between Detroit and San Francisco is 3339 kilometers, classifying this as a medium-haul route. This distance typically involves a flight duration that can vary significantly depending on whether the itinerary includes connections.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Detroit to San Francisco? The most affordable month to fly is April, with a median fare of $201. Following April, September offers a median fare of $398, and January presents a median fare of $459. These months generally offer better value compared to other times of the year.

For cheap flights from Detroit to San Francisco, fares typically range from $402–$861, with a median of $589. Right now, current fares are above the typical level. Only 1% of recent fares were classified as a good price, indicating that finding deals can be challenging, though new deals show up several times a week.

How much is a round trip from Detroit to San Francisco

Regular price: $444 - $661

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

The regular price range for flights from Detroit to San Francisco is typically 444 USD to 661 USD. The current lowest deal is 144 USD with Frontier Airlines, for travel from Dec 7-Dec 9.

now $144

Low $444

High $661

The cheapest time to fly from Detroit to San Francisco

The cheapest month to fly from Detroit to San Francisco is April, with a median price of $201. The most expensive month is March, with a median price of $4151. Prices are generally lower from January to October.

April

Cheapest

Flights from $201

March

Most Expensive

Flights from $4,151

Jan

Mar

Apr

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Detroit to San Francisco

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Detroit to San Francisco

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$229

$155

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$222

$155

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$222

$190

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$224

$190

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$228

$190

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$221

$190

One-way

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

2 nights

Dec 7 - Dec 9

$637 → $169

73%

1 night

Dec 8 - Dec 9

$636 → $181

72%

4 nights

Dec 8 - Dec 12

$634 → $180

72%

4 nights

Dec 7 - Dec 11

$634 → $187

70%

Popular Airports to fly from Detroit to San Francisco

Detroit - San Francisco route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level.

Recent fares from Detroit to San Francisco are below the typical level for this route.

📅 Best time to fly

April is historically the cheapest month to fly.

Historically, April is the cheapest month to fly, with a median price of $201.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 5h 6m.

The median flight time for a direct flight from Detroit to San Francisco is 5h 6m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

United Airlines offers direct flights.

United Airlines has direct flights available for the Detroit to San Francisco route.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines offers a deal for $144.

Frontier Airlines has a deal for $144 from Detroit to San Francisco, Dec 7-Dec 9.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly.

Deals for flights from Detroit to San Francisco appear regularly, typically every 30 days.

Detroit main airports to depart from

Detroit Metropolitan (DTW)

Cheapest

Detroit Metropolitan offers flights to San Francisco, providing a convenient option for your journey.

📍 ~29 km from Detroit (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$177

San Francisco main airports to arrive at

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International Airport is a primary gateway to San Francisco from Detroit.

📍 ~18 km from city center (reachable by car, train)

💸 Flights from ~$144

Airports nearby San Francisco used as alternative

Oakland International (OAK)

Cheapest

Oakland International (OAK) is a primary alternative to SFO, offering extensive domestic routes and BART rail access.

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

💸 Flights from ~$183

Business & First Class Flight Deals to San Francisco

Discover luxury on the budget with premium cabin class on flights from Detroit to San Francisco.

Elite

Best Elite deals to San Francisco

Exclusive daily First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy flight deals, refreshed every 24 hours.

From DTW

Elite

Dec 08

San Francisco, United States

78% AI deal score

$1,837

$1,530

Save $307

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 04

San Francisco, United States

77% AI deal score

$1,780

$1,541

Save $239

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 04

San Francisco, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,736

$1,521

Save $215

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 14

San Francisco, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,780

$1,595

Save $185

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 01

San Francisco, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,837

$1,648

Save $189

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 17

San Francisco, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,609

$1,493

Save $116

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 17

San Francisco, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,639

$1,506

Save $133

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 10

San Francisco, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,652

$1,529

Save $123

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 04

San Francisco, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,663

$1,545

Save $118

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 02

San Francisco, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,663

$1,562

Save $101

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 02

San Francisco, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,680

$1,582

Save $98

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DTW

Elite

Dec 02

San Francisco, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,837

$1,684

Save $153

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Francisco

Historically, the optimal booking window for flights from Detroit to San Francisco is typically between 28 and 59 days prior to departure. During this period, the average price for a flight is around $585. Booking within 7-13 days of departure sees the average price increase to $962, while booking 14-27 days out has an average price of $673. Even booking more than 60 days in advance tends to be more expensive, with an average price of $743.

Based on historical data across the trailing quarter, a good price for a flight from Detroit to San Francisco is considered to be around $402 or less. The median price for this route has been $589. Prices can vary, with 75% of flights costing $861 or less. Travelers aiming for a more economical fare should target prices at or below the $402 threshold.

Historically, April is the best month to fly from Detroit to San Francisco, with a median price of $201. September also offers favorable prices, with a median of $398. January, despite being listed as the most expensive month with a median of $459, still presents a lower median than the annual median of $589. Travelers looking for more affordable options should consider these months.

Related routes

More routes from Detroit

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Flights to San Francisco from other cities

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Detroit to San Francisco: Overview

Insights for flights from Detroit to San Francisco

How much is a round trip from Detroit to San Francisco

Regular price: $444 - $661

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

The regular price range for flights from Detroit to San Francisco is typically 444 USD to 661 USD. The current lowest deal is 144 USD with Frontier Airlines, for travel from Dec 7-Dec 9.

now $144

Low $444

High $661

The cheapest time to fly from Detroit to San Francisco

April

Cheapest

Flights from $201

March

Most Expensive

Flights from $4,151

Jan

Mar

Apr

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Detroit to San Francisco

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Detroit to San Francisco

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$229

$155

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$222

$155

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$222

$190

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$224

$190

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$228

$190

One-way

Mon, Nov 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DTW - San Francisco

Detroit (DTW) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$221

$190

One-way

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

2 nights

Dec 7 - Dec 9

$637 → $169

73%

1 night

Dec 8 - Dec 9

$636 → $181

72%

4 nights

Dec 8 - Dec 12

$634 → $180

72%

4 nights

Dec 7 - Dec 11

$634 → $187

70%

Popular Airports to fly from Detroit to San Francisco

Detroit - San Francisco route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level.

Recent fares from Detroit to San Francisco are below the typical level for this route.

📅 Best time to fly

April is historically the cheapest month to fly.

Historically, April is the cheapest month to fly, with a median price of $201.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 5h 6m.

The median flight time for a direct flight from Detroit to San Francisco is 5h 6m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

United Airlines offers direct flights.

United Airlines has direct flights available for the Detroit to San Francisco route.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines offers a deal for $144.

Frontier Airlines has a deal for $144 from Detroit to San Francisco, Dec 7-Dec 9.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly.

Deals for flights from Detroit to San Francisco appear regularly, typically every 30 days.

Detroit main airports to depart from

Detroit Metropolitan (DTW)

Cheapest

Detroit Metropolitan offers flights to San Francisco, providing a convenient option for your journey.

📍 ~29 km from Detroit (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$177

San Francisco main airports to arrive at

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International Airport is a primary gateway to San Francisco from Detroit.

📍 ~18 km from city center (reachable by car, train)

💸 Flights from ~$144

Airports nearby San Francisco used as alternative

Oakland International (OAK)

Cheapest

Oakland International (OAK) is a primary alternative to SFO, offering extensive domestic routes and BART rail access.

San Francisco, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,837

$1,684

Save $153

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Francisco

Cheap Flights from Detroit to San Francisco

Today’s best flight deals from Detroit to San Francisco

Detroit to San Francisco: Overview

Insights for flights from Detroit to San Francisco

How much is a round trip from Detroit to San Francisco

The cheapest time to fly from Detroit to San Francisco

Direct flights from Detroit to San Francisco

Last-minute flights going from Detroit to San Francisco

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

Popular Airports to fly from Detroit to San Francisco

Detroit - San Francisco route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level.

April is historically the cheapest month to fly.

Direct flights take 5h 6m.

United Airlines offers direct flights.

Frontier Airlines offers a deal for $144.

Deals appear regularly.

Detroit main airports to depart from

San Francisco main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby San Francisco used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to San Francisco

Best Elite deals to San Francisco

Dec 08

Dec 04

Dec 04

Dec 14

Dec 01

Dec 17

Dec 17

Dec 10

Dec 04

Dec 02

Dec 02

Dec 02

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Francisco

How early should I book Detroit to San Francisco flights to get the cheapest price?

How much should a flight from Detroit to San Francisco cost?

What's the best month to fly from Detroit to San Francisco?

What percentage of Detroit to San Francisco flights are direct?

How long is the flight from Detroit to San Francisco?

Should I set a price alert for Detroit to San Francisco flights?

Related routes

More routes from Detroit

Flights to San Francisco from other cities

Detroit to San Francisco: Overview

Insights for flights from Detroit to San Francisco

How much is a round trip from Detroit to San Francisco

The cheapest time to fly from Detroit to San Francisco

Direct flights from Detroit to San Francisco

Last-minute flights going from Detroit to San Francisco

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

Popular Airports to fly from Detroit to San Francisco

Detroit - San Francisco route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level.

April is historically the cheapest month to fly.

Direct flights take 5h 6m.

United Airlines offers direct flights.

Frontier Airlines offers a deal for $144.

Deals appear regularly.

Detroit main airports to depart from

San Francisco main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby San Francisco used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to San Francisco

Best Elite deals to San Francisco

Dec 08

Dec 04

Dec 04

Dec 14

Dec 01

Dec 17

Dec 17

Dec 10

Dec 04

Dec 02

Dec 02

Dec 02

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Francisco

How early should I book Detroit to San Francisco flights to get the cheapest price?

How much should a flight from Detroit to San Francisco cost?

What's the best month to fly from Detroit to San Francisco?