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Trip from Albany, CA to San Francisco, CA

Drive Time

22m

Distance

14.1 mi

23 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 6 min
4 AM
0h 20m ★
6 AM
0h 22m
8 AM
0h 26m
10 AM
0h 24m
12 PM
0h 23m
3 PM
0h 24m
5 PM
0h 26m
8 PM
0h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Albany, CA, CA

Albany, CA

Tori Pezzulla❤️

Downtown San Francisco, CA, CA

San Francisco, CA

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

Traveling from Albany to San Francisco is a quick, straightforward trip covering just 14.1 miles. You can easily complete this drive in about 22 minutes, making it a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating primarily via the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Eastshore Freeway, and Route 80, you will find this transition between Pacific Coast cities to be highly efficient. With fuel costs estimated at around $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute. Whether you are heading into the city for work or a short visit, this route offers a seamless connection between the two locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

7.1 miles from Albany, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition across the bay area. You will spend about 40% of your time on highways, providing a blend of rapid transit and local navigation. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, where you will cover 6.2 miles of the route. Because this is a relatively short trip, the road feel shifts quickly from suburban stretches to the dense urban environment of San Francisco. It is a functional drive designed for speed and convenience rather than a leisurely backroad cruise.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 6.2 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

185 ft -33 ft

Total Climb

265 ft

Total Descent

254 ft

Highest Point

185 ft

~9.1 mi in

Elevation Range

218 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Buchanan Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 14.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Buchanan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles (Eastshore Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Buchanan Street

Turn left onto Buchanan Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 80 West, I 580 East: Oakland, San Francisco

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / straight lanes. Toward I 80 West, I 580 East: Oakland, San Fran...
6
4.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | Eastshore Freeway

Take the exit onto Eastshore Freeway toward San Francisco

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward San Francisco
6
5.9 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
8
12.7 mi into trip | ~19m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1B Toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 6.2 mi 9m
Eastshore Freeway 4 mi 5m
Route 80 1.4 mi 2m
Buchanan Street 0.6 mi 1m
Octavia Boulevard 0.5 mi <1m
Market Street 0.3 mi 1m
Central Freeway 0.3 mi <1m
San Pablo Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 6.2 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Albany, CA and San Francisco, CA.

1

Start on CA 123

368 ft · 16 sec · San Pablo Avenue
2

Turn left onto Buchanan Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Buchanan Street
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 80 West, I 580 East: Oakland, San Francisco Use the left / straight lanes.
4

Merge onto I 80; I 580

3.3 mi · 3 min · Eastshore Freeway
Use the none lane.
5

Take the exit onto Eastshore Freeway

0.8 mi · 1 min · Eastshore Freeway
Toward San Francisco Use the slight left lane.
6

Merge onto I 80

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7

Turn slight left onto I 80

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
9

Continue on I 80

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10

Continue on I 80

0.8 mi · 1 min · Route 80
Exit 2A Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
11

Continue on I 80

0.4 mi · 32 sec · Route 80
Exit 1A Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 1B Toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto US 101

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Central Freeway
14

Continue on Octavia Boulevard

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434B Toward Octavia Boulevard, Fell Street Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn right onto Market Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Market Street
Use the right lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Market Street
17

Arrive at destination

Market Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a brief 22-minute excursion, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the short duration makes a non-stop journey entirely manageable. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on the Eastshore Freeway and Route 80 can vary, so checking real-time conditions before you head out is your best strategy. Because the fuel cost is a modest $3, you won't need to stress about budgeting for extra gas during the drive. Prioritize leaving early or late to avoid peak congestion on these major thoroughfares for a smoother trip.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 7.1 miles from Albany, CA, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.2 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 14.1 miles or 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 7.1 miles or 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Francisco, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Albany, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Albany, CA

This is one driving day of about 14.1 miles and 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Albany, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 6.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 7.1 mi from Albany, CA · 10m into the drive

Downtown Richmond, CA, CA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Richmond, CA

7 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Pacifica, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Richmond, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 7.1 miles from Albany, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in San Francisco, CA

The final approach into San Francisco, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around San Francisco, CA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 14.1
Park Closure: Hyde Street Pier Closure
Caution: Sick Birds and Wildlife, H5N1
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 1
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 14.1
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

National Monument

Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour $15 near mile 14.1
View on nps.gov
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

National Memorial

On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...

19 mi from route ~47 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$3.27 one way

$6.53 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 5 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.07 $3.37 $6.73
premium $6.24 $3.47 $6.93
diesel $5.64 $3.13 $6.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 4.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 4.2 0 $1.48 $0.68
Efficient EV 3.5 0 $1.23 $0.56
EV Truck/SUV 5.6 0 $1.97 $0.90

Gas CO2

5 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (60% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Albany, CA

Afternoon in Albany on Sunday

Local time

1:38 PM

PDT

Current temp

60°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 to 14 mph 83% chance Live forecast

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 8:16AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Eureka CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 6:49AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Destination

San Francisco, CA

Afternoon in San Francisco on Sunday

Local time

1:38 PM

PDT

Current temp

61°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 13 mph 80% chance Live forecast

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 8:16AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Eureka CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 6:49AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Along the Route

46°F

Richmond, CA

7 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

22m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Albany, CA to San Francisco, CA covers 14.1 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Eastshore Freeway, Route 80. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.1 miles from Albany, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.27 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 14.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Buchanan Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles (Eastshore Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Albany, CA to San Francisco, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

San Francisco, CA to Albany, CA

Plan the drive back the other way.

13.4 mi 21m

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