$104 Cheap Flights from Washington (DCA) to San Francisco (SFO)

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Cheap Flights from Washington to San Francisco (DCA-SFO)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $104 for one-way flights and $198 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Frontier Airlines
United
Hawaiian Airlines
Flights from Washington (DCA) to San Francisco (SFO)
Origin airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Destination airport
San Francisco Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$198
Distance
2436 mi

Washington to San Francisco Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Washington to San Francisco

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Washington to San Francisco are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Washington to San Francisco with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Washington to San Francisco

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Washington to San Francisco: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Washington to San Francisco

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Washington to San Francisco in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $104 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Washington to San Francisco flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Washington to San Francisco airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

*Terms apply.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) cost?
Grab cheap return tickets starting at $237 from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO). This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Alaska Airlines flight leaving DCA on May 20 2025 and touching down at SFO. The price was last updated on April 24 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from DCA to SFO?
The cheapest flights from DCA to SFO are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Hop on a direct flight with United Airlines and journey straight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO).
What is the cheapest airline that flies from DCA to SFO?
At the moment, the cheapest airline offering one-way flights from DCA to SFO is Alaska Airlines. You can book a seat on this route from $119. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from DCA on June 7 2025. Prices were last updated on April 24 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
With an average of 2 direct flights that operate from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) daily, you’ll be on your way in no time.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Flights between DCA and SFO tend to be busiest at 5 PM. If you want a quieter experience and possibly cheaper fares, look for a time outside the usual busy windows.
What day of the week has the most flights from DCA to SFO?
If you travel on a Friday, you’ll get the largest range of options for flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO).
What is the earliest flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Catch the earliest flight at around 5:32PM UTC-5, departing from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). You’ll be flying for about 6h 21m, coming in to land at San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) at approximately 8:53PM UTC-8.
How long does it take to fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
It usually takes 6 hours and 16 minutes to travel the 2,400 mi from DCA to SFO.
What airline has the least delays from DCA to SFO?
Consider traveling with United Airlines if you’d like to go straight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) without any holdups. This airline has the best track record for punctuality, with an on-time performance of 85%. Want to be updated if anything changes? You can check your flight status using the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Select a flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) that takes off before 3 PM to reduce the risk of delays and cancellations. Departures after this hour have a 22% higher chance of being canceled, on average.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG’s global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for San Francisco from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Check out your flight options from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO). This is the only San Francisco airport you can fly into if you’re taking a direct flight.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) last-minute?
Booking your plane ticket from DCA to SFO right before your getaway is usually more expensive. But if you’re flexible with your schedule, you could snag a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a DCA to SFO flight and hotel package?
Opting for a DCA to SFO flight and hotel package is generally cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your travels all in one place. Pick from our wide range of stays and then add activities, car rentals and flights to your booking. Bundle it all together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
If you booked your DCA to SFO flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it without fees. Depending on the airline and the ticket type you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes beyond this timeframe. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, visit our Customer Service portal for further details.

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*Available to One Key members.