SFO → EWR — NJ Summer Trip
Family: David, Molly, Oscar (3yo)
Home: Alameda, CA 94501
Destination: Hillsborough, NJ (parents)
Route
- Fly from: SFO (driving from Alameda, not OAK)
- Fly to: EWR (parents pick up, ~30 min to Hillsborough)
- Airline: United Airlines (52+ weekly nonstops)
- Oscar tip: Mid-morning departures (9am–12pm PT) so he naps on the ~5.5hr flight
Recommended Flights
Outbound — SFO → EWR
| Flight | Depart SFO (PT) | Arrive EWR (ET) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| UA274 ⭐ | 11:15am | 8:10pm | ~5h 55m |
| UA2761 | 11:05am | 7:05pm | ~5h 00m |
Return — EWR → SFO
| Flight | Depart EWR (ET) | Arrive SFO (PT) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| UA1593 ⭐ | 9:15am | 12:09pm | ~5h 54m |
| UA2739 ⭐ | 10:00am | 1:05pm | ~6h 05m |
| UA648 | 10:40am | 1:51pm | ~6h 11m |
Oscar is 3 — on United, children 2+ need their own seat at adult fare. No lap-child discount.
Date Windows & Pricing
Window 1: Jul 19 (Sun) → Jul 26 (Sun) — Peak Summer
- UA274 out / UA1593 return
- Est. RT/person: $410–$490
- Total for 3: $1,230–$1,470
- Most expensive window. Sunday departures are premium.
Window 2: Aug 15 (Sat) → Aug 22 (Sat)
- UA274 out / UA1593 return
- Est. RT/person: $380–$460
- Total for 3: $1,140–$1,380
Window 3: Aug 22 (Sat) → Aug 29 (Sat)
- UA274 out / UA1593 return
- Est. RT/person: $350–$430
- Total for 3: $1,050–$1,290
Window 4: Sep 4 (Fri) → Sep 12 (Sat) — Labor Day
- UA274 out / UA1593 return
- Est. RT/person: $390–$480
- Total for 3: $1,170–$1,440
Window 5: Sep 12 (Sat) → Sep 19 (Sat) — ⭐ Best Value
- UA274 out / UA1593 return
- Est. RT/person: $280–$350
- Total for 3: $840–$1,050
- Post-Labor Day shoulder season. ~30-40% cheaper than July.
Comparison
| Window | Dates | RT/Person | Total 3 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 — Late Jul | Jul 19–26 | $410–$490 | $1,230–$1,470 |
| 2 — Mid Aug | Aug 15–22 | $380–$460 | $1,140–$1,380 |
| 3 — Late Aug | Aug 22–29 | $350–$430 | $1,050–$1,290 |
| 4 — Labor Day | Sep 4–12 | $390–$480 | $1,170–$1,440 |
| 5 — Mid Sep ⭐ | Sep 12–19 | $280–$350 | $840–$1,050 |
⚠️ Prices are estimates based on current published fares for nearby dates plus seasonal averages (Kayak, Google Flights, Expedia, Skyscanner data). For exact pricing, check United.com or Kayak for your specific dates.
Constraints
- yellowstone-2026 trip Jun 28–Jul 4 — NJ trip must be after that
- Mid-morning departures preferred (Oscar naps on the flight)
- Parents pick up at EWR — ~30 min drive to Hillsborough