San Francisco to St. Louis flight path: SFO to STL

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to St. Louis. The great-circle routing keeps the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, the Rocky Mountain front range, and the Gateway Arch approach on the south side, giving the right side more terrain variety and a stronger landing sequence than the flatter northern view.

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing SFO's eastern runways, the initial climb and turn put San Francisco's skyline, the Bay Bridge, and Golden Gate on the north (left) side, while the right side shows the flatter South Bay and San Jose sprawl. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge.

When landing at Lambert St Louis International (STL), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the typical northwest approach into St. Louis, the turn toward the runway brings downtown St. Louis, the Gateway Arch, and the Mississippi River into view on the south (right) side of the aircraft. Notable sights include: Gateway Arch, Mississippi River, downtown St. Louis, Eads Bridge.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Lambert St Louis International (STL) takes about 3 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,731 miles (2,786 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe basin, Nevada's Great Basin desert, Wasatch Range near Salt Lake City, Rocky Mountains front range near Denver, and the Great Plains of Kansas leading into the Missouri River valley