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LAX to SFO Turbulence Forecast

Is the Los Angeles to San Francisco flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
LAX
→
SFO
Los Angeles · San Francisco · 1h 15m
35
Turb Score
1h 15m
Duration
337 nm
Distance
22,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Light
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LAX–SFO

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 15m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the LAX–SFO route

The Los Angeles to San Francisco domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 388 miles at around 22,000 feet. Turbulence is most common when weather systems cross the Midwest or when the flight path skirts the Rocky Mountains. Short duration means any rough patches pass quickly.

The route is served by Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 22,000 feet over a distance of 388 miles (337 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source.

Turbulence levels on LAX–SFO

What to expect at each phase of the flight

SmoothDeparture & arrival — climb and descent phases are generally calm
LightMinor bumps — drink stays in your cup, walking feels slightly unsteady
ModerateNoticeable bumps — stay seated with seatbelt on, service may pause
HeavyStrong jolts — unsecured items move, crew seated. Rare but possible

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Best time to fly LAX–SFO

Turbulence by month

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Rough

Best seat on LAX–SFO

Boeing 737

Front
Rows 1–7
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 8–14
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 15+
Rougher
Wing seats are over the center of gravity — least affected by turbulence.

What you'll see in the app

Full forecast, live map & seat recommendations

LAX to SFO turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

LAX → JFK
Los Angeles → New York
Light
SFO → NRT
San Francisco → Tokyo
Moderate
SFO → HNL
San Francisco → Honolulu
Light
LAX → HNL
Los Angeles → Honolulu
Light
SEA → LAX
Seattle → Los Angeles
Light
DEN → LAX
Denver → Los Angeles
Moderate

Frequently asked questions

Is the Los Angeles to San Francisco flight turbulent?
The LAX–SFO route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 35/100.
When is turbulence worst on LAX to SFO?
Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on LAX to SFO?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 8–14. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from LAX to SFO?
The LAX to SFO flight takes approximately 1h 15m, covering 388 miles (337 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly LAX to SFO?
The main airlines operating this route are Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft.