Trip from San Francisco, CA to Auburn, CA

Drive Time

2h 23m

Distance

119.1 mi

192 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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San Francisco, CA

Abhishek Navlakha

Auburn, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

The drive from San Francisco, CA to Auburn, CA covers 119.1 miles and takes about 2h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Alan S. Hart Freeway, Eastshore Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.6 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.58 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

59.6 miles from San Francisco, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from San Francisco, CA to Auburn, CA covers 119.1 miles and takes about 2h 23m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 27 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 63.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

375 ft 12 ft

Total Climb

726 ft

Total Descent

405 ft

Highest Point

375 ft

~110.6 mi in

Elevation Range

362 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 8.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 119.1 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 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.9 miles (I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

8.7 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East

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

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 80 East

12.6 mi into trip | ~19m in | I 80 / Eastshore Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Eastshore Freeway toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento

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

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento

81.9 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway toward I 80 East: Reno

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 80 East: Reno

118.8 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in

Take the exit toward Maple Street

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 119A Toward Maple Street

118.9 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in | Maple Street

Keep slight left at fork onto Maple Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from San Francisco, CA to Auburn, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.

Sacramento

12.6 mi in | ~19m | via I 80

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	63.6 mi	1h 15m
Alan S. Hart Freeway	16.6 mi	19m
Eastshore Freeway	14.3 mi	16m
North Sacramento Beltline Freeway	13.3 mi	15m
Yolo Causeway	3.7 mi	4m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway	3.5 mi	3m
Carquinez Bridge	1 mi	1m
Route 80	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 63.6 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Market Street

312 ft · 7 sec · Market Street

Turn right onto 11th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 11th Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Bryant Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Bryant Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 25 sec

Toward I 80 East: Oakland Use the left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · Route 80

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 80

6.4 mi · 9 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 45 sec

Toward I 80 East Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 880

407 ft · 6 sec · Nimitz Freeway

Continue on I 80; I 580

3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

7.4 mi · 8 min · Eastshore Freeway

Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

3.2 mi · 3 min · Eastshore Freeway

Exit 21 Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.

Continue on I 80

3.5 mi · 3 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 80

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Eastshore Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 80

1.0 mi · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge

Continue on I 80

14 mi · 16 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

27 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

8.4 mi · 9 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

13 mi · 14 min · North Sacramento Beltline Freeway

Toward I 80 East: Reno Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

0.8 mi · 55 sec · North Sacramento Beltline Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

7.0 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

17 mi · 19 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

349 ft · 8 sec

Exit 119A Toward Maple Street Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto Maple Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Maple Street

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right

75 ft · 6 sec

Turn right

183 ft · 13 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 59.6 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.6 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 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59.6 miles or 1h 13m 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 57m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, 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 119.1 miles and 2h 23m.

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.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 63.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.6 mi from San Francisco, CA · 1h 13m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vallejo, CA

60 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

Sacramento, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Davis, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.6 miles from San Francisco, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.6 miles.

Arriving in Auburn, CA

The final approach into Auburn, 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 Auburn, 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

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

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 ~6 min detour Free near mile 16.4

View on nps.gov

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 28.8

View on nps.gov

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

View on nps.gov

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

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.58 one way

$55.16 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$28.44	$56.89
premium	$6.24	$29.27	$58.55
diesel	$5.64	$26.46	$52.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.7	$12.51	$5.72
Efficient EV	29.8	$10.42	$4.76
EV Truck/SUV	47.6	$16.67	$7.62

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% 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 2 hours ago

Origin

San Francisco, CA

Afternoon in San Francisco on Sunday

Local time

12:33 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

Destination

Auburn, CA

Afternoon in Auburn on Sunday

Local time

12:33 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

S 8 to 12 mph 95% 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

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

10 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

2h 23m 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 San Francisco, CA to Auburn, CA covers 119.1 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Alan S. Hart Freeway, Eastshore Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 59.6 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 $27.58 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.

On the drive from San Francisco, CA to Auburn, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.

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