Miles Saved by Using the Panama Canal: New York to San Francisco

Taking the Panama Canal saves approximately 9,500 nautical miles (17,500 km) versus rounding Cape Horn.

Distances

• Via Panama Canal: ~3,500 nmi (6,500 km)
  • NY to Canal: ~2,000 nmi
  • Canal transit: 48 nmi (77 km)
  • Canal to SF: ~1,500 nmi
• Around Cape Horn: ~13,000 nmi (24,000 km)
  • NY to Cape Horn: ~5,000 nmi
  • Cape Horn to SF: ~8,000 nmi

The canal cuts distance by ~73% and weeks of sailing time, making it a linchpin of global maritime trade.