Flight time & jet lag: Calgary to San Francisco
Calgary (YYC) → San Francisco (SFO) · 1,639 km (1,018 mi) · medium haul · intra north america
The flight from Calgary (YYC) to San Francisco (SFO) takes 2h 26m to 2h 56m covering 1,639 km. San Francisco is 1 hour behind Calgary, making this a light-severity jet lag route traveling west. Full circadian adjustment typically takes 1 day.
- Route:
- Calgary (YYC) → San Francisco (SFO)
- Distance:
- 1,639 km (1,018 mi)
- Flight time:
- 2h 26m to 2h 56m gate-to-gate
- Time difference:
- -1 hours
- Jet lag severity:
- light (1 zone crossed)
- Recovery time:
- ~1 day
- Direction:
- westbound
- Route type:
- medium-haul, intra north america
- Origin timezone:
- America/Edmonton
- Destination timezone:
- America/Los_Angeles
Calgary to San Francisco: Route overview
This medium-haul route from Calgary (YYC) to San Francisco (SFO) covers 1,639 km in approximately 2h 26m to 2h 56m, crossing 1 time zone westbound. With only a 1-hour time difference, most travelers adjust within a day, though the medium-haul journey may still cause travel fatigue. Both cities sit at similar temperate latitudes, meaning daylight patterns will feel familiar upon arrival — a helpful factor for circadian adjustment.
What makes the Calgary–San Francisco route different
With only 1 hour of time difference, this route sits at the threshold where jet lag is barely noticeable for most travelers. The bigger factor is likely the 2h 26m to 2h 56m flight duration itself and any associated sleep deprivation.
Arrival strategy for San Francisco
Arriving in San Francisco after a 1-hour westward shift gives you a slightly longer day. Your body clock will be 1 hours ahead of local time, so you may feel sleepy earlier than locals. Compensate by seeking bright afternoon and evening light in San Francisco, which helps delay your body clock. Try to stay awake until at least 21:00 local time on your first evening.
Circadian rhythm analysis: Calgary → San Francisco
When you arrive in San Francisco, your circadian rhythm is still running on Calgary time. At 09:00 San Francisco time, your body reads 10:00 — a reasonable waking hour internally, so morning performance should be manageable. The main westbound challenge is that by 22:00 local, your body clock reads 23:00 — past your natural bedtime. You will likely feel premature sleepiness in the late afternoon or early evening. Your circadian system adjusts at roughly 1 to 1.5 hours per day, so expect 1 day for full alignment.
Your body clock in San Francisco (day 1)
How your body clock maps to local time upon arrival, before any adjustment.
| San Francisco Time | Your Body Clock (Calgary) | How You Feel | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 07:00 | Morning alertness building. Moderate energy. | Good window for bright light exposure if adjusting eastward. |
| 09:00 | 10:00 | Peak morning alertness on body time. | Productive window. Use this energy for important tasks. |
| 12:00 | 13:00 | Post-lunch dip. Moderate energy. | Brief 20-min nap acceptable if severely fatigued. Avoid long naps. |
| 15:00 | 16:00 | Afternoon alertness on body time. | Good window for light exposure if adjusting westward. |
| 18:00 | 19:00 | Evening wind-down. Melatonin starting to rise. | Dim lights and avoid screens if you need to stay awake longer. |
| 21:00 | 22:00 | Natural sleep window on body time. | Ideal time to sleep if it aligns with local night. If not, use bright light to delay. |
| 00:00 | 01:00 | Deep sleep phase. Intense drowsiness likely. | If awake, use bright light to push clock forward. Avoid driving or complex tasks. |
| 03:00 | 04:00 | Early wake phase. Groggy, low energy. | Light physical activity helps. Coffee is acceptable if 8+ hours before target bedtime. |
Pre-departure preparation
With minimal time zone change, no pre-departure sleep adjustment is necessary for this Calgary to San Francisco route. Focus instead on arriving well-rested: maintain your normal sleep schedule in the days before travel, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol on the flight.
Your first 72 hours in San Francisco
Day 1: Arrive in San Francisco and follow local time immediately. Eat meals at normal local hours and get outside in daylight. Day 2: You should feel fully adjusted. Resume normal activities. Day 3: No residual effects expected.
Recovery timeline
Full circadian adjustment for the Calgary → San Francisco route typically takes 1 day, based on the body's natural adaptation rate of ~1 to 1.5 hours per day for westbound travel. During this period, expect gradually improving sleep quality, with the most noticeable symptoms (fatigue, difficulty concentrating, appetite changes) during the first 1 days. By day 1, most travelers report feeling fully synchronized with San Francisco's schedule.
Route Planner
Adjust departure date for DST-accurate results.
Business hours: Calgary vs San Francisco
Calgary and San Francisco share 8 overlapping business hours, providing a reasonable window for scheduling calls and meetings. The most productive overlap falls between 10:00 and 17:00 in Calgary (09:00–16:00 in San Francisco).
| Calgary | San Francisco |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | 09:00 |
| 11:00 | 10:00 |
| 12:00 | 11:00 |
| 13:00 | 12:00 |
| 14:00 | 13:00 |
| 15:00 | 14:00 |
| 16:00 | 15:00 |
| 17:00 | 16:00 |
- 10:00 Calgary / 09:00 San Francisco
- 14:00 Calgary / 13:00 San Francisco
Seasonal and climate factors
Flight times between Calgary and San Francisco can vary by 15–30 minutes seasonally due to shifting wind patterns along this medium-haul corridor. San Francisco at 38°N experiences moderate seasonal daylight variation. Summer offers longer evenings useful for westward adjustment, while winter's earlier sunsets support eastward adjustment schedules.
How the Calgary–San Francisco flight time is estimated
The 2h 26m to 2h 56m estimate for Calgary to San Francisco is derived from the 1,639-km great-circle distance. Medium-haul flights balance cruise and non-cruise phases, achieving effective speeds of 780–850 km/h. An additional 30–50 minutes accounts for taxi, takeoff, climb, descent, approach, and taxi at both YYC and SFO. Actual routing through controlled airspace may add 3–8% distance beyond the great-circle path due to air traffic corridors and restricted zones along the way.
Wind patterns and flight duration
Prevailing winds along the Calgary–San Francisco corridor have a moderate effect on flight time. Westbound flights may encounter mild headwinds from the general west-to-east upper atmospheric flow.
Practical travel context
This medium-haul route connects Calgary (Canada) with San Francisco (United States).
Frequently asked questions: Calgary to San Francisco
How long is the flight from Calgary to San Francisco?
What is the time difference between Calgary and San Francisco?
How bad is jet lag flying from Calgary to San Francisco?
Can I minimize jet lag on the Calgary to San Francisco route?
Is it better to fly during the day or at night from Calgary to San Francisco?
How long does jet lag last from Calgary to San Francisco?
What about the return flight from San Francisco to Calgary?
More questions about this route
Should I adjust my schedule before flying from Calgary to San Francisco?
What are the best business hours to schedule meetings between Calgary and San Francisco?
How is the Calgary to San Francisco flight time calculated?
Assumptions & notes
- Flight time based on Haversine great-circle distance (1,639 km) with speed heuristics.
- Cruise speed: 780–850 km/h + 30–50 min ground/air overhead.
- Time difference is approximate and may shift during DST transitions.
- Jet lag plan is general wellness guidance, not medical advice.
- Route: YYC (America/Edmonton) → SFO (America/Los_Angeles)