Origin
San Francisco, CA
Night in San Francisco on Thursday
Local time
9:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Francisco, CA to Buena Vista, CA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
49.3 mi
79 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 57m
★
6 AM
1h 2m
8 AM
1h 12m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 6m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
0h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Francisco, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Buena Vista, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
The drive from San Francisco, CA to Buena Vista, CA covers 49.3 miles and takes about 1h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Bayshore Freeway, James Lick Freeway, Guadalupe Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.6 miles on Bayshore Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.33 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 49.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 2m highway drive covering 49.3 miles, with most of the trip on Bayshore Freeway and James Lick Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.6 miles on Bayshore Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Bayshore Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Bayshore Freeway and James Lick Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near US 101 / James Lick Freeway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.1 miles (US 101 / James Lick Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 101 / James Lick Freeway
Merge onto US 101 / James Lick Freeway toward US 101 South: San Jose
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
6
10.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
US 101 / Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Bayshore Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
35.6 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
US 101 / Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Bayshore Freeway toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
7
44 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 390
Toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
7
47.6 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward CA 82
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6A
Toward CA 82
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 Buena Vista, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.
Los Angeles
35.6 mi in
|
~43m
|
via US 101
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bayshore Freeway | 38.6 mi | 44m |
| James Lick Freeway | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Guadalupe Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| West San Carlos Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| 11th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Douglas Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Meridian Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Delmas Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Bayshore Freeway
— 38.6 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Buena Vista, 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
470 ft
·
18 sec
·
Bryant Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
5
Merge onto US 101
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
James Lick Freeway
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 101
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 390
Toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 87
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Guadalupe Freeway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 6A
Toward CA 82
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto Park Avenue
76 ft
·
8 sec
·
Park Avenue
13
Turn left onto Delmas Avenue
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Delmas Avenue
Use the left / uturn lanes.
14
Turn right onto West San Carlos Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West San Carlos Street
15
Turn left onto Meridian Avenue
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Meridian Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Douglas Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Douglas Street
17
Arrive at destination
Douglas Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.6 mi from San Francisco, CA · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.6 miles from San Francisco, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Buena Vista, CA
The final approach into Buena Vista, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.33 one way
$22.66 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $11.68 | $23.35 |
| premium | $6.18 | $11.99 | $23.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.88 | $21.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.16 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Buena Vista, CA
Night in Buena Vista on Thursday
Local time
9:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 2m 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 Buena Vista, CA covers 49.3 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Bayshore Freeway, James Lick Freeway, Guadalupe 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 24.6 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 $11.33 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 49.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.1 miles (US 101 / James Lick Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from San Francisco, CA to Buena Vista, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.
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