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MDW to SFO: distance & flight time
Chicago (Chicago Midway International Airport) → San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport)
1,850 mi
2,977 km · 1,608 nm
4h 6m
estimated nonstop flight time
-2h
time difference · heading west
See live MDW→SFO fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
1,850 miles nonstop takes roughly 4h 6m gate to gate, flying west. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 2-hour time set-back when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- MDW — Chicago Midway International Airport · Chicago, United States
- SFO — San Francisco International Airport · San Francisco, United States
Distances are great-circle ("as the crow flies") — the same basis airlines use for frequent-flyer miles.
Alternate airports can cut this fare
Flying from or into a nearby airport is the #1 trick our agents use to beat online prices. Call and we'll compare every combination on one call.
Near MDW
- ORD · Chicago O'Hare International Airport15 mi away
- CGX · Chicago Meigs Airport9 mi away
- GYY · Gary Chicago International Airport21 mi away
- LOT · Lewis University Airport22 mi away
Near SFO
- SQL · San Carlos Airport10 mi away
- HAF · Half Moon Bay Airport10 mi away
- OAK · Metropolitan Oakland International Airport11 mi away
- NGZ · Alameda Naval Air Station12 mi away
Frequently asked questions
How far is MDW from SFO?
The flight distance from Chicago (MDW) to San Francisco (SFO) is 1,850 miles (2,977 km, 1,608 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from MDW to SFO?
A nonstop flight takes about 4h 6m gate to gate. Actual time varies with winds, routing and season — eastbound transatlantic flights, for example, are usually faster than the return.
What is the time difference between Chicago and San Francisco?
San Francisco is 2 hours behind Chicago.
What is the cheapest way to fly from MDW to SFO?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on MDW–SFO that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.