What percentage of Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights are direct?

Across the trailing 90 days, approximately 22.4% of flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco were direct. For travelers with connecting flights, the median number of stopovers was 2. This indicates that while direct options are available, a significant portion of routes involve at least one stop. Travelers should consider this when planning their journey.

How long does it take to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

The typical direct flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco has a median duration of 5 hours and 51 minutes. For flights with one stop, the median travel time is significantly longer, averaging 11 hours and 30 minutes. The distance covered on this route is approximately 3885 kilometers. Travelers should factor in these durations when choosing between direct and connecting flights.

Flights From Washington, D.C.

To San Francisco

Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Q: How often do cheap flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco come up?

Historically, cheap flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco come up frequently. This route is classified as having frequent deal availability based on observations across the trailing 30 days. Travelers looking for good value on this route can typically expect to find opportunities regularly. This consistent availability makes it easier to plan a trip to San Francisco from Washington, D.C. without extensive searching.

Browse current best options from Washington, D.C.. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

Washington, D.C.

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

Prices updated 2 days ago

461 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Sep 14, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

2026-10-19 – 2026-10-21
WAS - San Francisco
89% AI deal score
$372
$206
Round trip
2026-10-06 – 2026-10-13
WAS - San Francisco
88% AI deal score
$358
$214
Round trip
2026-10-06 – 2026-10-20
WAS - San Francisco
86% AI deal score
$322
$214
Round trip
2026-10-07 – 2026-10-13
WAS - San Francisco
88% AI deal score
$358
$217
Round trip
2026-10-07 – 2026-10-20
WAS - San Francisco
86% AI deal score
$323
$217
Round trip
2026-10-13 – 2026-10-20
WAS - San Francisco
87% AI deal score
$358
$225
Round trip
2026-10-05 – 2026-10-07
WAS - San Francisco
87% AI deal score
$382
$235
Round trip
2026-10-06 – 2026-10-14
WAS - San Francisco
85% AI deal score
$343
$236
Round trip
2026-10-06 – 2026-10-26
WAS - San Francisco
82% AI deal score
$309
$236
Round trip
2026-10-07 – 2026-10-14
WAS - San Francisco
85% AI deal score
$358
$237
Round trip

Washington, D.C. to San Francisco: Overview

Insights for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

A typical journey from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco takes about 5h 51m, including connecting itineraries. Given that most itineraries connect at least once, you can expect a median connecting flight to take around 14h 43m, while non-stop flights have a median duration of 5h 51m. This route is classified as medium-haul, covering a distance of 3885 km.

For travelers seeking cheap flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, fares typically range from $394–$710, with a median of $502. Right now, fares are below the typical level, and about 7% of recent fares were classified as a good price. New deals appear almost daily, offering frequent opportunities to find competitive prices.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco? The most affordable month to fly is typically November, with a median fare of $343. Following closely, February offers a median fare of $387, and March presents a median of $393. These months generally provide better value compared to other times of the year.

Regarding direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, only 22.4% of recent fares were non-stop. This indicates that most itineraries connect at least once, with the typical connecting itinerary involving 2 stopovers. If you prioritize a non-stop journey, you may find fewer options available.

How much is a round trip from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Regular price: $300 - $411

Prices for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is typically between $300 and $411. Currently, the lowest deal is $206 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Oct 19-Oct 21.

now $206

Low $300

High $411

The cheapest time to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

The cheapest month to fly from Washington to San Francisco is November, with a median price of $378. The most expensive month is April, with a median price of $912. Prices are generally lower from January to November.

November

Cheapest

Flights from $378

April

Most Expensive

Flights from $912

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Mon, Sep 14

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$523

$419

One-way

Tue, Sep 15

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$525

$381

One-way

Tue, Sep 15

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$516

$409

One-way

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$498

$381

One-way

Tue, Sep 29

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$332

$271

One-way

Thu, Oct 1

⌛ Last-Minute

BWI - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (BWI) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$281

$271

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

3 nights

Oct 17 - Oct 20

$373 → $203

46%

1 night

Sep 15 - Sep 16

$525 → $381

27%

7 nights

Oct 17 - Oct 24

$355 → $229

36%

3 nights

Oct 24 - Oct 27

$373 → $248

33%

Popular Airports to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Washington, D.C. - San Francisco route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are below the typical level.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in November for the best prices

Historically, November is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, at $343.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights average 5h 51m

Direct flights to San Francisco typically take 5h 51m, while connecting flights average 14h 43m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Connecting flights make up 77.6% of recent routes, with a median of 2 stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines has a recent deal for $206

Frontier Airlines offered a recent deal from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco for $206.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently on this route

Deals on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco appear frequently.

Washington, D.C. main airports to depart from

Baltimore–Washington International (BWI)

Cheapest

BWI is a good option for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

📍 ~44 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$261

San Francisco main airports to arrive at

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International Airport is a good choice for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

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

💸 Flights from ~$260

Airports nearby San Francisco used as alternative

Oakland International (OAK)

Oakland International is a useful alternative, especially for travelers heading to the East Bay or downtown San Francisco.

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

💸 Flights from ~$291

Business & First Class Flight Deals to San Francisco

Discover luxury on the budget with premium cabin class on flights from Washington, D.C. 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 DCA

Elite

Dec 11

San Francisco, United States

89% AI deal score

$2,115

$1,512

Save $603

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From BWI

Elite

Nov 10

San Francisco, United States

89% AI deal score

$1,523

$1,113

Save $410

United Airlines

Business Class

From DCA

Elite

Dec 24

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,913

$1,512

Save $401

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DCA

Elite

Dec 25

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,988

$1,512

Save $476

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DCA

Elite

Dec 25

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,934

$1,512

Save $422

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DCA

Elite

Dec 25

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,975

$1,512

Save $463

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DCA

Elite

Dec 24

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,971

$1,512

Save $459

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DCA

Elite

Dec 24

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,975

$1,512

Save $463

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From BWI

Elite

Oct 05

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,640

$1,222

Save $418

United Airlines

Business Class

From IAD

Elite

Dec 08

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,843

$1,433

Save $410

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DCA

Elite

Oct 31

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,814

$1,457

Save $357

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From DCA

Elite

Dec 14

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,818

$1,512

Save $306

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Francisco

Historically, the best time to purchase tickets for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is typically 60+ days before departure. Across the trailing quarter, prices for this booking window averaged around $533. In contrast, waiting until 0-6 days before departure saw average prices rise significantly to $1301. For those planning within 7-13 days of travel, the average price was $984, indicating that earlier booking generally leads to better value.

Historically, a flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is considered a good deal if it is priced at or below $394. This threshold represents the 25th percentile of prices observed across the trailing 90 days. The median price for this route was $502, while prices at the 75th percentile reached $710. By comparing potential fares to these historical benchmarks, travelers can better assess the value of a flight.

Historically, November has been the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, with a median price of $343. February also offered competitive prices, with a median of $387. March, with a median price of $393, was also among the more affordable options. These prices are notably lower than the annual median price of $502 for this route, based on data from the trailing 270 days.

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Flights to San Francisco from other cities

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Washington, D.C. to San Francisco: Overview

Insights for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

How much is a round trip from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Regular price: $300 - $411

Prices for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is typically between $300 and $411. Currently, the lowest deal is $206 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Oct 19-Oct 21.

now $206

Low $300

High $411

The cheapest time to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

November

Cheapest

Flights from $378

April

Most Expensive

Flights from $912

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Mon, Sep 14

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$523

$419

One-way

Tue, Sep 15

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$525

$381

One-way

Tue, Sep 15

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$516

$409

One-way

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$498

$381

One-way

Tue, Sep 29

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$332

$271

One-way

Thu, Oct 1

⌛ Last-Minute

BWI - San Francisco

Washington, D.C. (BWI) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$281

$271

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

3 nights

Oct 17 - Oct 20

$373 → $203

46%

1 night

Sep 15 - Sep 16

$525 → $381

27%

7 nights

Oct 17 - Oct 24

$355 → $229

36%

3 nights

Oct 24 - Oct 27

$373 → $248

33%

Popular Airports to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Washington, D.C. - San Francisco route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are below the typical level.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in November for the best prices

Historically, November is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, at $343.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights average 5h 51m

Direct flights to San Francisco typically take 5h 51m, while connecting flights average 14h 43m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Connecting flights make up 77.6% of recent routes, with a median of 2 stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines has a recent deal for $206

Frontier Airlines offered a recent deal from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco for $206.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently on this route

Deals on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco appear frequently.

Washington, D.C. main airports to depart from

Baltimore–Washington International (BWI)

Cheapest

BWI is a good option for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

📍 ~44 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$261

San Francisco main airports to arrive at

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International Airport is a good choice for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

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

💸 Flights from ~$260

Airports nearby San Francisco used as alternative

Oakland International (OAK)

Oakland International is a useful alternative, especially for travelers heading to the East Bay or downtown San Francisco.

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,818

$1,512

Save $306

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Francisco

Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Today’s best flight deals from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Washington, D.C. to San Francisco: Overview

Insights for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

How much is a round trip from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

The cheapest time to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Last-minute flights going from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Popular Airports to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Washington, D.C. - San Francisco route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Fly in November for the best prices

Direct flights average 5h 51m

Connecting flights are dominant

Frontier Airlines has a recent deal for $206

Deals appear frequently on this route

Washington, D.C. 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 11

Nov 10

Dec 24

Dec 25

Dec 25

Dec 25

Dec 24

Dec 24

Oct 05

Dec 08

Oct 31

Dec 14

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Francisco

When should I buy Washington, D.C. to San Francisco tickets?

How do I know if a Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flight is a good deal?

What's the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

What percentage of Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights are direct?

How long does it take to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

How often do cheap flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco come up?

Related routes

More routes from Washington, D.C.

Flights to San Francisco from other cities

Washington, D.C. to San Francisco: Overview

Insights for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

How much is a round trip from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

The cheapest time to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Last-minute flights going from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Popular Airports to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Washington, D.C. - San Francisco route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Fly in November for the best prices

Direct flights average 5h 51m

Connecting flights are dominant

Frontier Airlines has a recent deal for $206

Deals appear frequently on this route

Washington, D.C. 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 11

Nov 10

Dec 24

Dec 25

Dec 25

Dec 25

Dec 24

Dec 24

Oct 05

Dec 08

Oct 31

Dec 14

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Francisco

When should I buy Washington, D.C. to San Francisco tickets?

How do I know if a Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flight is a good deal?

What's the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?