Flight time & jet lag: Mexico City to San Francisco
Mexico City (MEX) → San Francisco (SFO) · 3,029 km (1,882 mi) · medium haul · intra north america
The flight from Mexico City (MEX) to San Francisco (SFO) takes 4h 04m to 4h 43m covering 3,029 km. San Francisco is 2 hours behind Mexico City, making this a light-severity jet lag route traveling west. Full circadian adjustment typically takes 2 days.
- Route:
- Mexico City (MEX) → San Francisco (SFO)
- Distance:
- 3,029 km (1,882 mi)
- Flight time:
- 4h 04m to 4h 43m gate-to-gate
- Time difference:
- -2 hours
- Jet lag severity:
- light (2 zones crossed)
- Recovery time:
- ~2 days
- Direction:
- westbound
- Route type:
- medium-haul, intra north america
- Origin timezone:
- America/Mexico_City
- Destination timezone:
- America/Los_Angeles
Mexico City to San Francisco: Route overview
This medium-haul route from Mexico City (MEX) to San Francisco (SFO) covers 3,029 km in approximately 4h 04m to 4h 43m, crossing 2 time zones westbound. With only a 2-hour time difference, most travelers adjust within a day, though the medium-haul journey may still cause travel fatigue. The route transitions between tropical and temperate climate zones, so expect a significant change in daylight duration and intensity that influences your circadian adjustment strategy.
What makes the Mexico City–San Francisco route different
With only 2 hours of time difference, this route sits at the threshold where jet lag is barely noticeable for most travelers. The bigger factor is likely the 4h 04m to 4h 43m flight duration itself and any associated sleep deprivation.
Arrival strategy for San Francisco
Arriving in San Francisco after a 2-hour westward shift gives you a slightly longer day. Your body clock will be 2 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: Mexico City → San Francisco
When you arrive in San Francisco, your circadian rhythm is still running on Mexico City time. At 09:00 San Francisco time, your body reads 11:00 — 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 00:00 — the deep night on your internal clock. You will feel intensely sleepy well before the local bedtime. Your circadian system adjusts at roughly 1 to 1.5 hours per day, so expect 2 days 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 (Mexico City) | How You Feel | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 08:00 | Morning alertness building. Moderate energy. | Good window for bright light exposure if adjusting eastward. |
| 09:00 | 11:00 | Peak morning alertness on body time. | Productive window. Use this energy for important tasks. |
| 12:00 | 14:00 | Post-lunch dip. Moderate energy. | Brief 20-min nap acceptable if severely fatigued. Avoid long naps. |
| 15:00 | 17:00 | Afternoon alertness on body time. | Good window for light exposure if adjusting westward. |
| 18:00 | 20:00 | Evening wind-down. Melatonin starting to rise. | Dim lights and avoid screens if you need to stay awake longer. |
| 21:00 | 23:00 | 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 | 02:00 | Deep sleep phase. Intense drowsiness likely. | If awake, use bright light to push clock forward. Avoid driving or complex tasks. |
| 03:00 | 05:00 | Early wake phase. Groggy, low energy. | Light physical activity helps. Coffee is acceptable if 8+ hours before target bedtime. |
Pre-departure preparation
For this 2-hour westward shift to San Francisco, start 2 days before departure by delaying your bedtime by 60 minutes each night. Seek bright light in the evening hours to help push your clock later. On the flight, try to stay awake if arriving during San Francisco's daytime. This gradual shift can significantly ease your transition upon arrival.
Your first 72 hours in San Francisco
Day 1 in San Francisco: Your body is ~2 hours off local time. Stay active and seek afternoon sunlight. Push bedtime to at least 21:00 local. Eat at local mealtimes even if not hungry. Caffeine is fine before 16:00, not after. Day 2: ~1 hours off. Continue late afternoon (15:00–18:00) light exposure. Sleep quality should improve. Day 3: ~0 hours off. You should feel mostly adjusted. Return to normal activities.
Recovery timeline
Full circadian adjustment for the Mexico City → San Francisco route typically takes 2 days, 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 2 days. By day 2, most travelers report feeling fully synchronized with San Francisco's schedule.
Route Planner
Adjust departure date for DST-accurate results.
Business hours: Mexico City vs San Francisco
Mexico City and San Francisco share 7 overlapping business hours, providing a reasonable window for scheduling calls and meetings. The most productive overlap falls between 11:00 and 17:00 in Mexico City (09:00–15:00 in San Francisco).
| Mexico City | San Francisco |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | 09:00 |
| 12:00 | 10:00 |
| 13:00 | 11:00 |
| 14:00 | 12:00 |
| 15:00 | 13:00 |
| 16:00 | 14:00 |
| 17:00 | 15:00 |
- 11:00 Mexico City / 09:00 San Francisco
- 14:00 Mexico City / 12:00 San Francisco
Seasonal and climate factors
Flight times between Mexico City 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 Mexico City–San Francisco flight time is estimated
The 4h 04m to 4h 43m estimate for Mexico City to San Francisco is derived from the 3,029-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 MEX 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 Mexico City–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 Mexico City (Mexico) with San Francisco (United States).
Frequently asked questions: Mexico City to San Francisco
How long is the flight from Mexico City to San Francisco?
What is the time difference between Mexico City and San Francisco?
How bad is jet lag flying from Mexico City to San Francisco?
Can I minimize jet lag on the Mexico City to San Francisco route?
Is it better to fly during the day or at night from Mexico City to San Francisco?
How long does jet lag last from Mexico City to San Francisco?
What about the return flight from San Francisco to Mexico City?
More questions about this route
Should I adjust my schedule before flying from Mexico City to San Francisco?
What are the best business hours to schedule meetings between Mexico City and San Francisco?
How is the Mexico City to San Francisco flight time calculated?
Assumptions & notes
- Flight time based on Haversine great-circle distance (3,029 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: MEX (America/Mexico_City) → SFO (America/Los_Angeles)