Origin
San Francisco, CA
Morning in San Francisco on Thursday
Local time
6:46 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Francisco, CA to Big Pine, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 15m
Distance
309.9 mi
499 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$71
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 5m
★
6 AM
7h 16m
8 AM
7h 37m
10 AM
7h 23m
12 PM
7h 21m
3 PM
7h 24m
5 PM
7h 36m
8 PM
7h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Francisco, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Big Pine, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from San Francisco to Big Pine covers 309.9 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 15 minutes of driving time. You will navigate a mix of routes, including the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, Tioga Road, and a significant portion of US 395. While this journey is feasible as a single-day trip, be prepared for a full day behind the wheel. Expect to budget approximately $72 for fuel to complete the trek. Because you are traveling entirely within California, you will experience a diverse transition across the Pacific Coast region, moving from the urban coastal environment toward the rugged interior landscapes.
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
154.9 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 15m. Total distance: 309.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This trip offers a dynamic mixed-drive profile, as only 47% of the journey is spent on highways. You will experience a variety of road types, transitioning from urban freeways to the more deliberate pace of two-lane passages like Tioga Road. A key segment of your travel involves US 395, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 61.6 miles. This shift in road quality keeps the drive engaging, as you move away from high-speed corridors into sections that require more focus and navigation. Expect the character of the road to change significantly as you progress from the coast toward the high-desert terrain.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 395 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.6 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 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 309.9 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 straight / slight right lanes.
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
7
77.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
CA 120
Take the exit onto CA 120 toward CA 120 East: Sonora, Yosemite Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward CA 120 East: Sonora, Yosemite Avenue
6
122.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
CA 120
Turn right onto CA 120
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Francisco, CA and Big Pine, CA, road signs point toward Stockton and Sonora.
Stockton
54.3 mi in
|
~1h 6m
|
via I 205
Sonora
69.8 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 395 | 61.6 mi | 1h 11m |
| Tioga Road | 58.6 mi | 1h 42m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 29.3 mi | 33m |
| East F Street | 25 mi | 33m |
| Main Street | 23.5 mi | 33m |
| CA 120 | 20.7 mi | 25m |
| MacArthur Freeway | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 14.6 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
US 395
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Big Pine, 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: Oakland
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 80
6
Continue on I 80
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
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 lanes.
9
Merge onto I 580
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto CA 120
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
CA 120
Toward CA 120 East: Sonora, Yosemite Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto CA 120
11 mi
·
15 min
·
East Yosemite Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on CA 120
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
California Street
19
Continue on CA 120
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Jackson Avenue
20
Continue on CA 120; J9; J14
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Valley Home Road
21
Continue on CA 120; J9; J14
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Yosemite Avenue
22
Turn left onto CA 108; CA 120
25 mi
·
33 min
·
East F Street
23
Turn right onto CA 120
13 mi
·
15 min
·
CA 120
Use the right lane.
24
Turn right onto Old Priest Grade
1.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Old Priest Grade
25
Continue on CA 120
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
New Priest Grade Road
26
Continue on CA 120
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 120
27
Continue on CA 120
24 mi
·
33 min
·
Main Street
28
Continue on Big Oak Flat Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Big Oak Flat Road
29
Continue on Big Oak Flat Road
7.8 mi
·
16 min
·
Big Oak Flat Road
30
Turn left onto Tioga Road
59 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
Tioga Road
31
Continue on US 395; CA 120
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 395; CA 120
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on US 395
44 mi
·
50 min
·
US 395
Use the straight lane.
33
Turn right onto North Barlow Lane
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Barlow Lane
34
Turn left onto CA 168
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Line Street
35
Turn right onto US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
36
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
El Camino Sierra
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Main Street
39
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
462 ft
·
11 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
40
Arrive at destination
US 395; US 6 Hist
Trip Plan
To manage the 309.9-mile journey effectively, aim for an early morning departure to avoid traffic congestion near San Francisco. You should plan for at least two dedicated stops to break up the 7-hour and 15-minute drive, ensuring you remain alert during the longer stretches on US 395. Since fuel costs for the trip average around $72, keep an eye on your gauge when passing through more remote areas where gas stations may be less frequent. Because the route relies on Tioga Road, always check for seasonal road closures before you head out, as this is a critical link in your path to Big Pine. Embracing a steady pace will make the transition between regions much more comfortable.
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 154.9 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 68 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.9 miles or 3h 26m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Pine, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Francisco, CA
This is one driving day of about 309.9 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from San Francisco, 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 US 395 for about 61.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.9 mi from San Francisco, CA · 3h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154.9 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 US 395 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 miles.
Arriving in Big Pine, CA
The final approach into Big Pine, 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 Big Pine, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.23 one way
$142.46 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $73.40 | $146.80 |
| premium | $6.18 | $75.36 | $150.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.42 | $136.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93 | 1 | $32.54 | $14.88 |
| Efficient EV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.12 | $12.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124 | 1 | $43.39 | $19.83 |
Gas CO2
108 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
Big Pine, CA
Morning in Big Pine on Thursday
Local time
6:46 AM
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
3 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
7h 15m 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 Big Pine, CA covers 309.9 miles and takes about 7h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 395, Tioga Road, Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 154.9 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 $71.23 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 21 significant decision points across 309.9 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 Big Pine, CA, road signs point toward Stockton and Sonora.
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