Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to San Francisco

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from Washington to San Francisco by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, subway, 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. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane DCA - SFO
    6h 36m
    $174–382

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

    cheapest
    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 14m
    $131–365

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Harrisburg Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Harrisburg Bus 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 Franciscobus bus
    3d
    $571–896

  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
    $1,728–2,757

  5. Drive  2,798 mi

    1. Drive from Washington to San Franciscocar car 2,798 mi
    44h 31m
    $495–715

  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 20m
    $161–1,007

  7. 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 21m
    $177–711

  8. 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 33m
    $224–1,460

  9. 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
    10h 16m
    $207–1,353

Washington to San Francisco by bus

Calendar4Weekly Buses
Duration3dAverage Duration
Ticket$571Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Washington to San Francisco.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,450.8 mi
  • Duration: 6h 36m

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

United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Inc., and two other airlines fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Washington Union Station to San Francisco via Harrisburg Bus Station, St Louis Bus Station, and Los Angeles Union Station in around 3d.

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

Booking & Getting There