This 358.2-mile journey from Alturas, CA to San Francisco, CA is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 7 hours and 17 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily be on Westside Freeway, West 12th Street, and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with 55% of the drive being on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $82 and a plan for 2 stops, it's a manageable single-day adventure. The drive offers a mixed terrain, making it a practical option for those looking to cover ground efficiently between the Pacific Coast regions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
179.1 miles from Alturas, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
The centerpiece of the Bay Area, San Francisco is one of the most visited cities in the world, and with good reason. The cultural center of northern California, San Francisco is renowned for its mixture of scenic beauty and unique culture that makes it one of the most vibrant and desirable cities in the nation, if not the world.
Sandwiched between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean on a small square of land seven miles (11 km) on each side, San Francisco offers a wealth of treasures for the visitor, from the windswept and often foggy bay to the steep hills lined with Victorian homes that overlook the spectacular scenery of the city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 17m. Total distance: 358.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, as you'll spend about 55% of your time on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 93 miles on Westside Freeway, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While much of the route involves highway driving, the inclusion of West 12th Street and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway suggests transitions between faster travel and more localized roads. This variety means you won't be in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire 7 hours and 17 minutes.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 93 miles.
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 268.3 miles in near I 505.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 358.2 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 268.3 miles (I 505): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 301.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 348.4 miles (Eastshore Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
268.3 mi into trip|~5h 31m in|I 505
Keep slight right at fork onto I 505 toward I 505 South: Winters, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 505 South: Winters, San Francisco
8
301.5 mi into trip|~6h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West: San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: San Francisco
6
348.4 mi into trip|~7h 1m 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
349.9 mi into trip|~7h 4m 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
356.8 mi into trip|~7h 14m 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
Westside Freeway
93 mi
1h 39m
West 12th Street
88.5 mi
2h 1m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
33.9 mi
41m
Cascade Wonderland Highway
33.8 mi
36m
I 505
33.2 mi
35m
State Route 299
26.1 mi
35m
CA 299
23.1 mi
29m
Eastshore Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 93 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alturas, CA and San Francisco, CA.
1
Start on North Howard Street
74 ft·5 sec·North Howard Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
277 ft·13 sec·West 4th Street
3
Turn left onto US 395
0.5 mi·1 min·North Main Street
4
Turn left onto CA 299
89 mi·2 hr 1 min·West 12th Street
5
Continue on CA 299
3.0 mi·6 min·Main Street
6
Continue on CA 299
26 mi·35 min·State Route 299
7
Turn right onto CA 299
23 mi·29 min·CA 299
8
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
9
Merge onto I 5
34 mi·36 min·Cascade Wonderland Highway
10
Continue on I 5
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Westside Freeway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 505
33 mi·35 min·I 505
Toward I 505 South: Winters, San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 1AToward I 80 West: San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 80
28 mi·32 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Eastshore Freeway
16
Continue on I 80
3.4 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto Eastshore Freeway
0.8 mi·1 min·Eastshore Freeway
Toward San FranciscoUse the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 80
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn slight left onto I 80
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
22
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Continue on I 80
0.8 mi·1 min·Route 80
Exit 2AUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Continue on I 80
0.4 mi·32 sec·Route 80
Exit 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 1BToward US 101 North: Golden Gate BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto US 101
0.3 mi·25 sec·Central Freeway
27
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
0.5 mi·42 sec·Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434BToward Octavia Boulevard, Fell StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·Market Street
Use the right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Market Street
30
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 17-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Alturas to maximize daylight and avoid late-day fatigue. With 2 planned stops, aim to break up the 358.2 miles into manageable segments, perhaps after the longest 93-mile stretch on Westside Freeway. The estimated fuel cost of $82 means you should plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially since you'll be covering significant mileage. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach San Francisco, as urban areas can sometimes have more spread-out services.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179.1 miles from Alturas, CA, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 79 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.1 miles or 3h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 3m
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 Alturas, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alturas, CA
This is one driving day of about 358.2 miles and 7h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Alturas, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 93 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 179.1 mi from Alturas, CA
· 3h 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 179.1 miles from Alturas, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 miles.
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
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 358.2
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 345.8
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 358.2
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 358.2
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 321.1
Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$15
near mile 148.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$82.33 one way
$164.66 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$84.84
$169.68
premium
$6.18
$87.11
$174.22
diesel
$5.61
$79.09
$158.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.5
1
$37.61
$17.19
Efficient EV
89.6
1
$31.34
$14.33
EV Truck/SUV
143.3
1
$50.15
$22.92
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Alturas, CA
Evening
in Alturas on Friday
Local time
7:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Francisco, CA
Evening
in San Francisco on Friday
Local time
7:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Clear
NNW 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 9:49PM PDT until April 17 at 2:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 9:49PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
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
16 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
7h 17m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alturas, CA to San Francisco, CA covers 358.2 miles and takes about 7h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, West 12th Street, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 179.1 miles from Alturas, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $82.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 358.2 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 268.3 miles (I 505): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 301.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 348.4 miles (Eastshore Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Alturas, CA to San Francisco, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
