Origin
San Francisco, CA
Afternoon in San Francisco on Sunday
Local time
12:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Francisco, CA to Modesto, CA
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
91.7 mi
148 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 44m
★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Francisco, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Modesto, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Driving from San Francisco to Modesto covers 89.3 miles, typically taking about 1 hour and 47 minutes to complete. This trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, as it connects the Pacific Coast region to the inland valley. You can expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel for the journey, making it a very affordable transit option. Because the total duration is under two hours, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this route offers a straightforward path between the two cities.
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
45.9 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate cruise, as the route relies on navigating through 11th Street and Bryant Street before transitioning to I-80 East. With a 0% highway share, you will be spending the entirety of your time on local roads, which keeps the pace consistent but requires your full attention. There is no long-distance highway cruising here, evidenced by the 0 miles of uninterrupted driving on 11th Street. The character of the road is technical, so be prepared for a drive that demands constant engagement behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 29.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway and MacArthur Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 91.7 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 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 East: Oakland
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 80 East: Oakland
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
8
76.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
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 6
Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
Towns Along This Route
Between San Francisco, CA and Modesto, CA, road signs point toward Hayward-Stockton, Stockton, Sonora and Fresno.
Hayward-Stockton
8 mi in
|
~13m
Stockton
54.3 mi in
|
~1h 6m
|
via I 205
Sonora
69.8 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Fresno
76.1 mi in
|
~1h 31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 29.3 mi | 33m |
| MacArthur Freeway | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| CA 99 | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| CA 120 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| Westside Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Route 80 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
— 29.3 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Modesto, 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
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6
Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto CA 99
14 mi
·
16 min
·
CA 99
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward 6th Street, G Street
19
Turn straight onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
5th Street
20
Turn left onto G Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
G Street
21
Turn left onto 11th Street
400 ft
·
17 sec
·
11th Street
22
Arrive at destination
11th Street
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, try to plan your departure during off-peak hours to avoid the inevitable congestion of city driving. Since the trip is relatively short at 1 hour and 47 minutes, you have the flexibility to make the drive in one go without scheduling formal rest stops. Keep your $12 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your vehicle is ready for frequent turns and stops. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert while transitioning from local streets like Bryant to the I-80 East segment, as the navigation can be nuanced. Enjoy the ease of a drive that gets you from the coast to Modesto without the need for an extended itinerary.
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 45.9 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.3 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.9 miles or 57m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Modesto, 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 91.7 miles and 1h 51m.
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 Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway for about 29.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.9 mi from San Francisco, CA · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.9 miles from San Francisco, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Modesto, CA
The final approach into Modesto, 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 Modesto, 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
$21.24 one way
$42.47 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $21.90 | $43.80 |
| premium | $6.24 | $22.54 | $45.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.37 | $40.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
| Efficient EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.02 | $3.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.84 | $5.87 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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
Modesto, CA
Afternoon in Modesto on Sunday
Local time
12:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Hayward, CA
46 mi in
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
19 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
1h 51m 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 Modesto, CA covers 91.7 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, MacArthur Freeway, Robert T. Monagan 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 45.9 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 $21.24 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 is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 91.7 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 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Between San Francisco, CA and Modesto, CA, road signs point toward Hayward-Stockton, Stockton, Sonora and Fresno.
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