Origin
San Francisco, CA
Afternoon in San Francisco on Sunday
Local time
12:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Francisco, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
55 mi
88 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 10m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 20m
5 PM
1h 27m
8 PM
1h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Francisco, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Santa Rosa, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from San Francisco to Santa Rosa covers approximately 55 miles, typically taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This journey is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to easily complete the trip without an overnight stay. You can expect to spend around $7 on fuel for the trek between these two Pacific Coast locations. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a distinct, turn-heavy experience compared to standard highway travel. Whether you are heading north for a weekend escape or a quick change of scenery, this drive is straightforward and manageable. It serves as a practical connection between the urban landscape of San Francisco and the character of Santa Rosa.
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
27.5 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike long, monotonous interstate stretches, this 55-mile journey features 0% highway driving, meaning you will navigate surface streets for the entire duration. Your path takes you through segments like South Van Ness Avenue, Otis Street, and Gough Street, which define the technical nature of the trip. Because there is no long uninterrupted stretch of road, the drive requires frequent adjustments and consistent focus. You will find that the road's personality is defined by its local, urban pace rather than high-speed cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 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 47.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 55 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: 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 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
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
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Gough Street
Turn right onto Gough Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
54.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward Third Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 489
Toward Third Street, Downtown
10
54.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Third Street, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 489
Toward Third Street, Downtown
7
54.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
3rd Street
Turn right onto 3rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood Highway | 47.2 mi | 57m |
| Presidio Parkway | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Golden Gate Bridge | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Webster Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Divisadero Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| California Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Fell Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Richardson Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 47.2 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Santa Rosa, CA.
1
Start on Market Street
41 ft
·
6 sec
·
Market Street
2
Turn sharp right onto US 101
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Van Ness Avenue
3
Turn right onto Otis Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Otis Street
4
Turn right onto Gough Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Gough Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto Market Street
29 ft
·
1 sec
·
Market Street
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
497 ft
·
10 sec
7
Continue on Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
37 sec
·
Franklin Street
8
Turn left onto Fell Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Fell Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn right onto Webster Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Webster Street
10
Turn left onto California Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
California Street
11
Turn right onto Divisadero Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Divisadero Street
12
Turn left onto US 101
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Lombard Street
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 101
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Richardson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 101
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Presidio Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 101
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden Gate Bridge
16
Continue on US 101; CA 1
47 mi
·
57 min
·
Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 489
Toward Third Street, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 489
Toward Third Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto 3rd Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
3rd Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto B Street
329 ft
·
18 sec
·
B Street
21
Turn right onto 4th Street
446 ft
·
12 sec
·
4th Street
22
Arrive at destination
4th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 15 minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to head out whenever it suits your plans. With no mandatory stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily drive straight through to your destination. Keep in mind that your route relies entirely on local streets, so build in extra time if you are traveling during peak hours when city traffic might impact your arrival. Make sure to account for the $7 fuel cost in your travel budget before heading out. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for turn-heavy transitions as you move between South Van Ness Avenue, Otis Street, and Gough Street to stay on track.
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 27.5 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.2 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 55 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.5 miles or 41m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Santa Rosa, 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 55 miles and 1h 15m.
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 Redwood Highway for about 47.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.5 mi from San Francisco, CA · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.5 miles from San Francisco, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Santa Rosa, CA
The final approach into Santa Rosa, 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 Santa Rosa, 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
$12.74 one way
$25.47 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $13.14 | $26.27 |
| premium | $6.24 | $13.52 | $27.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.22 | $24.44 |
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
$13
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.77 | $2.64 |
| Efficient EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.81 | $2.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22 | 0 | $7.70 | $3.52 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Santa Rosa, CA
Afternoon in Santa Rosa on Sunday
Local time
12:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Along the Route
46°F
Richmond, CA
28 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.
Road read
1h 15m 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 Santa Rosa, CA covers 55 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Redwood Highway, Presidio Parkway, Golden Gate Bridge. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.5 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 $12.74 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 16 significant decision points across 55 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: 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 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from San Francisco, CA to Santa Rosa, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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