SFO to LAX Route Guide

San Francisco, United States β†’ Los Angeles, United States

Quick answer

KSFO (San Francisco, United States) to KLAX (Los Angeles, United States) is a 294 NM (544 km / 338 mi) great-circle route with an initial bearing of 138Β° (SE). Typical cruise altitude FL240, expected flight time 1h 23m, common aircraft: Embraer E175, CRJ-700, Bombardier Q400.

Distance

294 NM

544 km / 338 mi

Initial Bearing

138Β° (SE)

True heading at departure

Typical Cruise

FL240

24,000 ft

Block Time

1h 23m

Typical jet, no wind correction

Fuel Estimate

2,382 kg

Single-aisle equivalent + reserve

Departure Elevation

13 ft

KSFO

Arrival Elevation

128 ft

KLAX

What aircraft fly this route?

For a 294 NM mission, operators typically deploy:

  • Embraer E175
  • CRJ-700
  • Bombardier Q400
  • Cessna Citation CJ3

Weather considerations

Pilots flying SFO-LAX should brief METARs and TAFs at both ends, plus any en-route SIGMETs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the distance between SFO and LAX?

294 nautical miles (544 km / 338 statute miles) great-circle.

How long is the flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

Approximately 1h 23m block-to-block for a typical commercial jet, depending on aircraft type and winds.

What aircraft typically fly SFO-LAX?

Common types include Embraer E175, CRJ-700, Bombardier Q400, Cessna Citation CJ3 depending on operator and demand.

What altitude do flights cruise at?

Most flights at this distance cruise around FL240 (24,000 ft), though winds and traffic affect filed altitude.

What initial heading is the route?

138Β° true (SE). Track varies along the route due to great-circle curvature.

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