The drive from San Francisco, CA to Saticoy, CA covers 361.4 miles and takes about 7h 8m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on El Camino Real, Bayshore Freeway, Chumash Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 207.8 miles on El Camino Real.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $83.07 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
180.7 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 8m. Total distance: 361.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 8m drive with frequent turns across 361.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
El Camino Real is the longest continuous segment at about 207.8 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 around 1.1 miles in near US 101 / James Lick Freeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 361.4 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 1.1 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 19 key points
These 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
355.3 mi into trip|~7h 1m in|CA 126
Take the exit onto CA 126 toward CA 126 East: Santa Clarita
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 66
Toward CA 126 East: Santa Clarita
8
360.6 mi into trip|~7h 7m in
Take the exit toward CA 118: Wells Road, Saticoy
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 5
Toward CA 118: Wells Road, Saticoy
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Francisco, CA and Saticoy, CA, road signs point toward Los Angeles, Lake Cachuma and Santa Barbara.
Los Angeles
35.6 mi in|~43m|via US 101
Lake Cachuma
287.7 mi in|~5h 34m
Santa Barbara
296.5 mi in|~5h 47m|via CA 154
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
El Camino Real
207.8 mi
3h 59m
Bayshore Freeway
79 mi
1h 31m
Chumash Highway
32.6 mi
45m
Ventura Freeway
17.6 mi
20m
Cabrillo Highway
11.8 mi
13m
CA 126
5.2 mi
6m
James Lick Freeway
4.3 mi
6m
11th Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
El Camino Real
— 207.8 mi, about 3h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Saticoy, 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 JoseUse 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
49 mi·56 min·Bayshore Freeway
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 101
10 mi·11 min·El Camino Real
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·50 sec
11
Merge onto US 101; CA 156
136 mi·2 hr 36 min·El Camino Real
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 101
12 mi·13 min·Cabrillo Highway
13
Continue on US 101
45 mi·51 min·El Camino Real
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward CA 154: Los Olivos, Lake Cachuma
15
Turn left onto CA 154
6.4 mi·9 min·Chumash Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto CA 154
127 ft·2 sec·Chumash Highway
17
Continue on CA 154
2.2 mi·3 min·Chumash Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto CA 154
113 ft·2 sec·Chumash Highway
Toward CA 154 East: Cachuma Lake, Santa Barbara
19
Continue on CA 154
24 mi·32 min·Chumash Highway
Toward CA 154 East: Cachuma Lake, Santa BarbaraUse the straight lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 101 SouthUse the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto US 101
17 mi·19 min·El Camino Real
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 101
18 mi·20 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto CA 126
5.2 mi·6 min·CA 126
Exit 66Toward CA 126 East: Santa ClaritaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward CA 118: Wells Road, SaticoyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto South Wells Road
0.5 mi·1 min·South Wells Road
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto Violeta Street
114 ft·5 sec·Violeta Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
Violeta 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 180.7 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.8 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.7 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saticoy, 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 361.4 miles and 7h 8m.
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 El Camino Real for about 207.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 180.7 mi from San Francisco, CA
· 3h 30m into the drive
The midpoint is around 180.7 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 El Camino Real if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 207.8 miles.
Arriving in Saticoy, CA
The final approach into Saticoy, 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 Saticoy, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky sp...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$30
near mile 137.1
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 361.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$83.07 one way
$166.13 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$85.60
$171.20
premium
$6.18
$87.89
$175.78
diesel
$5.61
$79.79
$159.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$83
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$108–$133
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.4
1
$37.95
$17.35
Efficient EV
90.4
1
$31.62
$14.46
EV Truck/SUV
144.6
1
$50.60
$23.13
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
San Francisco, CA
Afternoon
in San Francisco on Thursday
Local time
4:01 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:32AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Saticoy, CA
Afternoon
in Saticoy on Thursday
Local time
4:01 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°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
1 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
7h 8m 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 Saticoy, CA covers 361.4 miles and takes about 7h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are El Camino Real, Bayshore Freeway, Chumash Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 180.7 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 $83.07 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 361.4 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 1.1 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.
Between San Francisco, CA and Saticoy, CA, road signs point toward Los Angeles, Lake Cachuma and Santa Barbara.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Pinnacles National Park and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
