Trip from San Francisco, CA to Riverbank, CA

Drive Time

1h 57m

Distance

94.1 mi

151 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

1h 49m ★

6 AM

1h 58m

8 AM

2h 15m

10 AM

2h 4m

12 PM

2h 2m

3 PM

2h 4m

5 PM

2h 14m

8 PM

1h 53m

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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San Francisco, CA

Abhishek Navlakha

Riverbank, CA

chickenbunny

Trip Overview

Traveling from San Francisco to Riverbank covers 94.1 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 57 minutes of driving time. Since it is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate via the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, the MacArthur Freeway, and the Robert T. Monagan Freeway to reach your destination. Expect to spend roughly $22 on fuel for the journey, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Both the starting point and the destination reside within the Pacific Coast region, keeping the overall climate and landscape relatively consistent throughout the trip. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that serves as a practical connection between the coast and the inland area.

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

47.1 miles from San Francisco, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily reliant on major thoroughfares, with approximately 80% of the journey spent on highways. You will experience a focused, high-speed drive as you transition through the various freeway segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 29.3 miles while navigating the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. Because the route prioritizes speed and efficiency, expect a consistent driving rhythm rather than a winding or technical experience. While the drive remains highway-intensive, the transition between these major roads defines the overall personality of the trip, moving you steadily toward Riverbank.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 26 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 0.1 miles in near 11th Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 94.1 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 0.1 miles (11th Street): 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 19 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | 11th Street

Turn right onto 11th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

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...

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 none lane.

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

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 Riverbank, 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	7.2 mi	8m
CA 120	6.2 mi	7m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	5.8 mi	8m
Kiernan Avenue	3.8 mi	6m
Patterson Road	3.3 mi	5m

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 Riverbank, CA.

Start on Market Street

312 ft · 7 sec · Market Street

Turn right onto 11th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 11th Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Bryant Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Bryant Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 25 sec

Toward I 80 East: Oakland Use the left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · Route 80

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 80

5.8 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 8B Toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 580

16 mi · 18 min · MacArthur Freeway

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.

Merge onto I 580

12 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

18 mi · 20 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 205

3.9 mi · 4 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway

Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton

Keep slight left at fork onto I 205

11 mi · 11 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway

Merge onto I 5

1.0 mi · 1 min · Westside Freeway

Take the exit

469 ft · 6 sec

Toward CA 120 East: Manteca, Sonora

Continue on CA 120

6.2 mi · 7 min · CA 120

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 6 Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto CA 99

7.2 mi · 8 min · CA 99

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward CA 219: Broadway, Kiernan Avenue

Turn left onto CA 219

3.8 mi · 6 min · Kiernan Avenue

Turn left onto Tully Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · Tully Road

At end of road, turn right onto Ladd Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Ladd Road

Continue on Patterson Road

2.7 mi · 4 min · Patterson Road

Turn straight onto Patterson Road

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Patterson Road

Turn left onto 3rd Street

0.2 mi · 55 sec · 3rd Street

Turn right onto Santa Fe Street

64 ft · 2 sec · Santa Fe Street

Arrive at destination

Santa Fe Street

Trip Plan

To ensure a smooth transition from the city to your destination, consider timing your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the major freeways. Given that the entire trip is under two hours, you have the flexibility to make the drive in one go or take a quick break if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Since your fuel budget is estimated at $22, it is wise to check your levels before leaving San Francisco to avoid making unnecessary stops along the busy freeway corridors. Because the route is dominated by 80% highway driving, keep a steady eye on your navigation to ensure you make your freeway interchanges correctly. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Riverbank with plenty of time to spare for your planned activities.

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 47.1 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 58m 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 47.1 miles or 58m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverbank, 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 94.1 miles and 1h 57m.

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 47.1 mi from San Francisco, CA · 58m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hayward, CA

47 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

Manteca, CA

Fuel and coffee

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

Dublin, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.1 miles from San Francisco, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Riverbank, CA

The final approach into Riverbank, 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 Riverbank, 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

$21.79 one way

$43.58 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$22.47	$44.95
premium	$6.24	$23.13	$46.26
diesel	$5.64	$20.91	$41.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	28.2	$9.88	$4.52
Efficient EV	23.5	$8.23	$3.76
EV Truck/SUV	37.6	$13.17	$6.02

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

San Francisco, CA

Afternoon in San Francisco on Sunday

Local time

12:55 PM

PDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Riverbank, CA

Afternoon in Riverbank on Sunday

Local time

12:55 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

38°F

Hayward, CA

47 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 57m 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 Riverbank, CA covers 94.1 miles and takes about 1h 57m 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 47.1 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 $21.79 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.