San Francisco, CA to Auburn Lake Trails, CA is 130.5 miles and takes about 2h 50m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region into the same region, staying within California. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on well-maintained highways, making it a good option for a single-day adventure. Expect a relatively quick journey that gets you from the city to your destination with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.2 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 130.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
You'll spend about 38% of this drive on highways, experiencing a mix of freeway and potentially some local road transitions. The longest stretch without a significant break is 63.6 miles along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This route offers a varied driving experience, moving from the faster pace of the freeway to potentially quieter sections as you approach your destination. It's not a constant interstate grind, but rather a blend that should keep things interesting.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 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.
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.
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 20 significant decision points across 130.5 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 8.7 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 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
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
8
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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
7
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
7
119.6 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward CA 49 South: Placerville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 119C
Toward CA 49 South: Placerville
7
119.8 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|CA 49 / El Dorado Street
Turn left onto CA 49 / El Dorado Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from San Francisco, CA to Auburn Lake Trails, 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
17.3 mi
20m
Eastshore Freeway
14.3 mi
16m
North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
13.3 mi
15m
El Dorado Street
6 mi
13m
Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi
4m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.5 mi
3m
Georgetown Road
2.2 mi
3m
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 Lake Trails, 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
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: OaklandUse the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Route 80
6
Continue on I 80
6.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·45 sec
Toward I 80 EastUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 880
407 ft·6 sec·Nimitz Freeway
9
Continue on I 80; I 580
3.3 mi·4 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
7.4 mi·8 min·Eastshore Freeway
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 80
3.2 mi·3 min·Eastshore Freeway
Exit 21Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Continue on I 80
3.5 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·26 sec·Eastshore Freeway
14
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
15
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
13 mi·14 min·North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Toward I 80 East: RenoUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
0.8 mi·55 sec·North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 80
7.0 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 80
17 mi·20 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 119CToward CA 49 South: PlacervilleUse the right lane.
24
Turn left onto CA 49
0.1 mi·34 sec·Elm Avenue
25
Turn left onto CA 49
0.2 mi·29 sec·El Dorado Street
Use the left lane.
26
Enter roundabout onto CA 49
103 ft·3 sec·El Dorado Street
27
Continue on CA 49
2.3 mi·5 min·El Dorado Street
28
Continue on CA 49
3.6 mi·7 min·El Dorado Street
29
Continue on CA 49
102 ft·9 sec·CA 49
Use the left lane.
30
Turn left onto CA 193
2.2 mi·3 min·Georgetown Road
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto Sweetwater Trail
1.6 mi·6 min·Sweetwater Trail
32
Turn right onto Hidden Gold Trail
0.1 mi·38 sec·Hidden Gold Trail
33
Turn left onto Brown Bear Trail
0.5 mi·1 min·Brown Bear Trail
34
Turn left onto Cascade Trail
0.2 mi·39 sec·Cascade Trail
35
Arrive at destination
Cascade Trail
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour and 50 minute drive, departing San Francisco in the morning will help you avoid peak traffic. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 130.5 miles, you have plenty of flexibility to start when you're ready. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $30, and plan your stop around the 63.6-mile mark on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway to break up the longest stretch. This route is manageable in one day, so you can decide on your pace as you go.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.2 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 1h 20m 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 29 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.2 miles or 1h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn Lake Trails, 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 130.5 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 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 65.2 mi from San Francisco, CA
· 1h 20m into the drive
The midpoint is around 65.2 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 Lake Trails, CA
The final approach into Auburn Lake Trails, 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 Lake Trails, 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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.99 one way
$59.99 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$30.91
$61.82
premium
$6.18
$31.74
$63.47
diesel
$5.61
$28.81
$57.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.2
0
$13.70
$6.26
Efficient EV
32.6
0
$11.42
$5.22
EV Truck/SUV
52.2
0
$18.27
$8.35
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
San Francisco, CA
Afternoon
in San Francisco on Friday
Local time
3:31 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn Lake Trails, CA
Afternoon
in Auburn Lake Trails on Friday
Local time
3:31 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°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
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
2h 50m 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 San Francisco, CA to Auburn Lake Trails, CA covers 130.5 miles and takes about 2h 50m 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 65.2 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 $29.99 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 130.5 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 8.7 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.
On the drive from San Francisco, CA to Auburn Lake Trails, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. There are 5 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.
