Rome2Rio

How to get fromWashington DC to San Franciscoby subway, plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, or train

Find Transport to San Francisco

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from Washington DC to San Francisco by subway, plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, or train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport

    best
    1. Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane IAD - SFO
    8h
    $451–715

  2. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane DCA - SFO
    7h 52m
    $132–616

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Pittsburgh Intermodal Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Pittsburgh Intermodal Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Francisco Bus Stationbus bus
    2d 21h
    $492–982

  4. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Richmondtrain train
    3d 2h
    $1,006–2,159

  5. Drive 2,798 mi

    1. Drive from Washington DC to San Franciscocar car 2,798 mi
    44h 31m
    $511–738

  6. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane BWI - SFO
    8h 18m
    $403–1,214

  7. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane BWI - OAK
    9h 58m
    $269–1,560

  8. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport

    1. Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane IAD - OAK
    10h 16m
    $227–861

  9. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, Caltrain

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane BWI - SJC
    3. Take the train from Santa Clara Caltrain Northbound to San Francisco Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    9h 45m
    $256–1,517

Washington DC to San Francisco by foot and bus

Calendar17Weekly Services
Duration2d 21hAverage Duration
Ticket$492Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Washington DC to San Francisco.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,455 mi
  • Duration: 8h

What companies run services between Washington DC, USA and San Francisco, CA, USA?

You can take a vehicle from Washington DC to San Francisco Bus Station via 13 St NW+G St NW, Massachusetts Av NE+1 St NE, Washington Union Station, Pittsburgh Intermodal Station, St Louis Bus Station, and Los Angeles Union Station in around 2d 21h. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Washington DC to Civic Center / UN Plaza via H St NW+Madison Pl NW, E St NE+Columbus Cir, Washington Union Station, Chicago Union Station, Richmond, and Richmond in around 3d 2h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

More Questions & Answers