Trip from San Francisco, CA to Crescent City, CA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

7h 31m

Distance

355.5 mi

572 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$82

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

7h 21m ★

6 AM

7h 31m

8 AM

7h 51m

10 AM

7h 38m

12 PM

7h 36m

3 PM

7h 39m

5 PM

7h 50m

8 PM

7h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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consolidated city and county in California, United States

San Francisco, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in and seat of Del Norte County, California, United States

Crescent City, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from San Francisco, CA to Crescent City, CA covers 355.5 miles and takes about 7h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Redwood Highway, Willits Bypass, Broadway Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 337.9 miles on Redwood Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $81.71 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

177.7 miles from San Francisco, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a 7h 31m drive with frequent turns across 355.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Redwood Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 337.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 355.5 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.3 miles (Gough Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Market Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue

Turn sharp right onto US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Gough Street

Turn right onto Gough Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Market Street

Turn right onto Market Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Fell Street

Turn left onto Fell Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Redwood Highway	337.9 mi	6h 56m
Willits Bypass	4.7 mi	5m
Broadway Street	2.9 mi	6m
Presidio Parkway	1.8 mi	3m
Golden Gate Bridge	1.7 mi	2m
West 5th Street	1.4 mi	3m
Webster Street	1 mi	2m
Divisadero Street	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Redwood Highway — 337.9 mi, about 6h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Market Street

41 ft · 6 sec · Market Street

Turn sharp right onto US 101

0.1 mi · 27 sec · South Van Ness Avenue

Turn right onto Otis Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Otis Street

Turn right onto Gough Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Gough Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Market Street

29 ft · 1 sec · Market Street

Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

497 ft · 10 sec

Continue on Franklin Street

0.1 mi · 37 sec · Franklin Street

Turn left onto Fell Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Fell Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto Webster Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · Webster Street

Turn left onto California Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · California Street

Turn right onto Divisadero Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Divisadero Street

Turn left onto US 101

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Lombard Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 101

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Richardson Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 101

1.8 mi · 3 min · Presidio Parkway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 101

1.7 mi · 2 min · Golden Gate Bridge

Continue on US 101; CA 1

126 mi · 2 hr 32 min · Redwood Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 101

4.5 mi · 5 min · Willits Bypass

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 48 sec

Merge onto US 101

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Willits Bypass

Continue on US 101

129 mi · 2 hr 38 min · Redwood Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 101

2.9 mi · 6 min · Broadway Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto US 101

1.4 mi · 3 min · West 5th Street

Continue on US 101

83 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Redwood Highway

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Continue on US 101

0.5 mi · 1 min · M Street

Turn left onto 9th Street

0.3 mi · 45 sec · 9th Street

Arrive at destination

9th Street

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 177.7 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 3h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 337.9 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 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 177.7 miles or 3h 42m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crescent City, 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 355.5 miles and 7h 31m.

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 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 337.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 177.7 mi from San Francisco, CA · 3h 42m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

McKinleyville, CA

178 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

Windsor, CA

Fuel and coffee

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

McKinleyville, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 177.7 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 Redwood Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 337.9 miles.

Arriving in Crescent City, CA

The final approach into Crescent City, 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 Crescent City, 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

$81.71 one way

$163.42 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 124 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$84.20	$168.40
premium	$6.18	$86.45	$172.91
diesel	$5.61	$78.49	$156.98

Estimated Tolls: $9.00

Golden Gate Bridge $9.00

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$82

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$116–$141

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 124.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	106.6	1	$37.33	$17.06
Efficient EV	88.9	1	$31.11	$14.22
EV Truck/SUV	142.2	1	$49.77	$22.75

Gas CO2

124 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 22 hours ago

Origin

San Francisco, CA

Late night in San Francisco on Wednesday

Local time

3:14 AM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Mostly Clear

W 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Lake Wind Advisory

Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV

Destination

Crescent City, CA

Late night in Crescent City on Wednesday

Local time

3:14 AM

PDT

Current temp

63°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

12 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

7h 31m 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 Crescent City, CA covers 355.5 miles and takes about 7h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Redwood Highway, Willits Bypass, Broadway Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 177.7 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 $81.71 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.

The route from San Francisco, CA to Crescent City, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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