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Trip from Lathrop, CA to San Francisco, CA

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

1h 31m

Distance

74.5 mi

120 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 24m ★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m

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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city in California, United States

Lathrop, CA

Wikimedia Commons

consolidated city and county in California, United States

San Francisco, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 74.5-mile drive from Lathrop, CA, to San Francisco, CA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing major freeways like the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, MacArthur Freeway, and Robert T. Monagan Freeway, the journey is heavily highway-focused, with 87% of the route on these main roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $17, making it an economical option. Given its relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Both the origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

37.2 miles from Lathrop, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 74.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 74.5-mile trip, with 87% of the journey on major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.7 miles on the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This route offers a consistent driving experience, characterized by fast-paced travel on well-maintained highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating the interconnected freeways that lead you towards the San Francisco Bay Area. The road generally maintains its freeway character throughout, minimizing the need for complex navigation.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 29.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway and MacArthur Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.6 miles in near I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.5 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 37.6 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.2 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.5 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

6
37.6 mi into trip | ~44m in | I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
49.2 mi into trip | ~58m in | I 580 / MacArthur Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco
6
57.5 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in | I 580 / MacArthur Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
65.6 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Merge onto I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway toward I 80 West: San Francisco

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: San Francisco
8
73.1 mi into trip | ~1h 28m 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
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway 29.7 mi 34m
MacArthur Freeway 15.5 mi 17m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway 13.9 mi 15m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 6 mi 9m
Westside Freeway 4.3 mi 4m
Route 80 1.4 mi 2m
Lathrop Road 0.7 mi 1m
Octavia Boulevard 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway — 29.7 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East J Street

464 ft · 22 sec · East J Street
2

Turn right onto 5th Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · 5th Street
3

Turn left onto Lathrop Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lathrop Road
Use the straight lane.
4

Turn left

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 5

4.3 mi · 4 min · Westside Freeway
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 205

14 mi · 15 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
7

Continue on I 580

18 mi · 20 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

12 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

8.3 mi · 9 min · MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

7.2 mi · 8 min · MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 19A Toward I 80 West: San Francisco
12

Merge onto I 80

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Toward I 80 West: San Francisco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn slight left onto I 80

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
15

Continue on I 80

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16

Continue on I 80

0.8 mi · 1 min · Route 80
Exit 2A Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17

Continue on I 80

0.4 mi · 32 sec · Route 80
Exit 1A Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

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.
19

Merge onto US 101

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Central Freeway
20

Continue on Octavia Boulevard

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434B Toward Octavia Boulevard, Fell Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn right onto Market Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Market Street
Use the right lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Market Street
23

Arrive at destination

Market Street

Trip Plan

With a total duration of about 1 hour and 31 minutes, this 74.5-mile drive offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily complete this trip in one day, and there are no designated stops recommended, allowing you to depart and arrive at your convenience. Keep an eye on the estimated fuel cost of $17, and ensure you have sufficient gas before departing Lathrop, as long stretches on the freeway mean fewer opportunities for quick refueling. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 30 miles, so plan accordingly for any breaks you might need.

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 37.2 miles from Lathrop, CA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 16 miles or 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.2 miles or 44m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 14m

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 Lathrop, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lathrop, CA

This is one driving day of about 74.5 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Lathrop, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway for about 29.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 37.2 mi from Lathrop, CA · 44m into the drive

census-designated place in Alameda County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Castro Valley, CA

37 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

Tracy, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dublin, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.2 miles from Lathrop, 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.

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 74.5
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...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 66.8
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 74.5
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 74.5
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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 61.6
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.12 one way

$34.25 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $17.65 $35.29
premium $6.18 $18.12 $36.24
diesel $5.61 $16.45 $32.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.3 0 $7.82 $3.58
Efficient EV 18.6 0 $6.52 $2.98
EV Truck/SUV 29.8 0 $10.43 $4.77

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Lathrop, CA

Night in Lathrop on Thursday

Local time

10:17 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Francisco, CA

Night in San Francisco on Thursday

Local time

10:17 PM

PDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

7 degrees cooler at arrival

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

Road read

1h 31m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lathrop, CA to San Francisco, CA covers 74.5 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, MacArthur Freeway, Robert T. Monagan Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.2 miles from Lathrop, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.12 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.5 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 37.6 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.2 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.5 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lathrop, CA to San Francisco, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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