San Francisco to Tucson is 752 miles (1,210 km), a flight of about 1 hour 55 minutes.
Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over central California and into Arizona, the left side also tracks closer to the Sierra Nevada foothills and the Mojave Desert terrain, offering more varied landscape than the right side's view of the flat Central Valley and southern desert.
Flight Path
The flight crosses the southern San Joaquin Valley, the Tehachapi Mountains near Bakersfield, the Mojave Desert, and the Colorado River valley before descending into the Sonoran Desert basin around Tucson. The Salton Sea may be visible to the south depending on exact routing.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTSFO's primary departure runways (28L/28R) head west over the bay before turning south/southeast. Left side gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge as you climb out. Right side faces the peninsula suburbs and hills with less visual interest.
Landing at DMA
LEFTDavis-Monthan approaches typically come from the northwest on runway 12, meaning the aircraft tracks southeast over Tucson. The left side gives you the Santa Catalina Mountains rising dramatically north of Tucson, plus the city grid and the Rincon Mountains to the east. Right side faces south toward flat desert with less visual distinction.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Davis Monthan Afb (DMA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Tucson. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over central California and into Arizona, the left side also tracks closer to the Sierra Nevada foothills and the Mojave Desert terrain, offering more varied landscape than the right side's view of the flat Central Valley and southern desert.
What can I see during takeoff from San Francisco International in San Francisco?
During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO's primary departure runways (28L/28R) head west over the bay before turning south/southeast. Left side gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge as you climb out. Right side faces the peninsula suburbs and hills with less visual interest. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, San Francisco city skyline, San Mateo Bridge.
What can I see when landing at Davis Monthan Afb in Tucson?
When landing at Davis Monthan Afb (DMA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Davis-Monthan approaches typically come from the northwest on runway 12, meaning the aircraft tracks southeast over Tucson. The left side gives you the Santa Catalina Mountains rising dramatically north of Tucson, plus the city grid and the Rincon Mountains to the east. Right side faces south toward flat desert with less visual distinction. Notable sights include: Santa Catalina Mountains (Mount Lemmon), Tucson city grid, Rincon Mountains, Davis-Monthan aircraft boneyard.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Tucson?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Davis Monthan Afb (DMA) takes about 1 hour 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 752 miles (1,210 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Tucson flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the southern San Joaquin Valley, the Tehachapi Mountains near Bakersfield, the Mojave Desert, and the Colorado River valley before descending into the Sonoran Desert basin around Tucson. The Salton Sea may be visible to the south depending on exact routing.