Origin
San Francisco, CA
Afternoon in San Francisco on Sunday
Local time
1:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Francisco, CA to Alta Sierra, CA
Drive Time
6h 14m
Distance
311.5 mi
501 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$72
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 2m
★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 40m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 21m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 38m
8 PM
6h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Francisco, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Alta Sierra, CA
Charlie Jordan
Trip Overview
The drive from San Francisco, CA to Alta Sierra, CA covers 311.5 miles and takes about 6h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CA 99, Golden State Highway, Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 149.4 miles on CA 99. At current regular gas prices, budget about $72.14 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
155.7 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 6h 14m highway drive covering 311.5 miles, with most of the trip on CA 99 and Golden State Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 149.4 miles on CA 99.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 149.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 311.5 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 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.3 miles (I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8B
Toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-St...
6
36.4 mi into trip
|
~46m 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 none lane.
6
54.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
8
76.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
6
185.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
|
CA 99
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between San Francisco, CA and Alta Sierra, CA, road signs point toward Stockton, Sonora and Fresno.
Stockton
54.3 mi in
|
~1h 6m
|
via I 205
Sonora
69.8 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Fresno
76.1 mi in
|
~1h 31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 149.4 mi | 2h 48m |
| Golden State Highway | 34.9 mi | 37m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 29.3 mi | 33m |
| Garces Highway | 26.4 mi | 39m |
| MacArthur Freeway | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| Evans Road | 13 mi | 19m |
| Bakersfield-Glennville Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 149.4 mi, about 2h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Alta Sierra, CA.
1
Start on Market Street
312 ft
·
7 sec
·
Market Street
2
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Street
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto Bryant Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bryant Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 80 East: Oakland
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 80
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on I 80
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 580
16 mi
·
18 min
·
MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
9
Merge onto I 580
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13
Merge onto I 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Westside Freeway
14
Take the exit
469 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CA 120 East: Manteca, Sonora
15
Continue on CA 120
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6
Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto CA 99
108 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
·
CA 99
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
41 mi
·
44 min
·
CA 99
Use the none lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
35 mi
·
37 min
·
Golden State Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward CA 155 east
21
Turn left onto CA 155
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ellington Street
22
Turn left onto CA 155
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Garces Highway
23
Enter roundabout onto CA 155
135 ft
·
2 sec
·
Garces Highway
24
Continue on CA 155
25 mi
·
36 min
·
Garces Highway
25
Continue on CA 155
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
Bakersfield-Glennville Road
26
Continue on CA 155
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Evans Road
27
Continue on CA 155
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Evans Road
28
Continue on CA 155
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Evans Road
29
Turn right onto Old State Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Old State Road
30
Continue on Old State Road
486 ft
·
21 sec
·
Old State Road
31
Arrive at destination
Old State Road
Trip Plan
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.7 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.4 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.7 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alta Sierra, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA
This is one driving day of about 311.5 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from San Francisco, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CA 99 for about 149.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 155.7 mi from San Francisco, CA · 3h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155.7 miles from San Francisco, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 149.4 miles.
Arriving in Alta Sierra, CA
The final approach into Alta Sierra, 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 Alta Sierra, CA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.14 one way
$144.27 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $74.39 | $148.78 |
| premium | $6.24 | $76.56 | $153.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $69.20 | $138.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.5 | 1 | $32.71 | $14.95 |
| Efficient EV | 77.9 | 0 | $27.26 | $12.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.6 | 1 | $43.61 | $19.94 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Alta Sierra, CA
Afternoon in Alta Sierra on Sunday
Local time
1:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°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
29 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
6h 14m 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 San Francisco, CA to Alta Sierra, CA covers 311.5 miles and takes about 6h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, Golden State Highway, Arthur H. Breed Junior 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 155.7 miles from San Francisco, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $72.14 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 1 meaningful break 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 21 significant decision points across 311.5 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 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.3 miles (I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between San Francisco, CA and Alta Sierra, CA, road signs point toward Stockton, Sonora and Fresno.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Alta Sierra, CA
More trips to Alta Sierra, CA
Explore more options from San Francisco, CA or browse trips ending in Alta Sierra, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for San Francisco, CA or Alta Sierra, CA on MapSof.net.