How to travel from Charlotte to San Francisco, United States of America

The distance between Charlotte and San Francisco is around 2,707 miles (4,356km) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1 day 19h.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Charlotte to San Francisco by bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out San FranciscoCharlotte if you're planning a return trip.

💰 Cheapest
1
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Columbus then Las Vegas and then to San Francisco.

  • Duration2 days 20h
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    $375
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

2
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Charlottesville then Chicago Union Station and then to Richmond.

  • Duration3 days 7h
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    $415
🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to San Francisco.

  • Duration1 day 19h
  • Distance2,707 miles (4,356km)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Charlotte and San Francisco

There are several options for getting from Charlotte to San Francisco by bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around $375 and will take around 2 days 20h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1 day 19h, though it is a bit more costly at approximately $265.

The distance between Charlotte and San Francisco is around 2,707 miles (4,356km). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 2,297 miles (3,696km)

It takes around 2 days 20h to get from Charlotte and San Francisco by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 19h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Charlotte to San Francisco is to drive which takes around 1 day 19h and will set you back approx $265.

The cheapest way to travel between Charlotte and San Francisco, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around $375 for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Charlotte and San Francisco. It typically takes around 3 days 7h and departs 6 times a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Charlotte to San Francisco. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Charlottesville, Chicago Union Station and Richmond. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 3 days 7h.

Amtrak run train services between Charlotte and San Francisco. Trains depart 6 times a week and will take around 3 days 7h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Charlotte and San Francisco. It typically takes around 2 days 20h and departs 6 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Charlotte to San Francisco. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Columbus, Las Vegas and EB Bonneville after 1st. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 20h.

Greyhound USA and Flixbus USA run regular bus services between Charlotte and San Francisco. Buses run 6 times a week and take around 2 days 20h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Charlotte to San Francisco. We recommend that you take the bus to Columbus then Las Vegas and then to San Francisco. instead which will take 2 days 20h.

The closest major airport to San Francisco is San Francisco International Airport (SFO) (SFO) which is approximately 18km (11 miles) from San Francisco. Oakland International Airport (OAK) (OAK) and Buchanan Field (CCR) (CCR) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Charlotte and San Francisco. The distance is around 2,707 miles (4,356km) by road and it will take around 1 day 19h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Charlotte to San Francisco is to take the bus which takes, on average, 2 days 20h and will usually cost around $375.

How do I get from Charlotte to San Francisco

Compare travel optionsbetween Charlotte and San Francisco

Transport options from Charlotte to San Francisco
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus
2 days 20h
$375
6 times a week5,036km (3,129 miles)
Train
3 days 7h
$415
6 times a week5,600km (3,480 miles)
Drive
1 day 19h
$265
on demand4,356km (2,707 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Charlotte and San Francisco

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near San Francisco

The following major airports near San Francisco offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United States of America and internationally.

SFO
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
International Airport
Distance
11 miles (18km) from San Francisco
OAK
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
International Airport
Distance
12 miles (20km) from San Francisco
CCR
Buchanan Field (CCR)
Domestic Airport
Distance
25 miles (40km) from San Francisco