The drive from San Francisco, CA to Rio Dell, CA covers 64.8 miles and takes about 1h 34m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Redwood Highway, Gravenstein Highway, Gravenstein Highway North for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 39.8 miles on Redwood Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.89 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.4 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
The centerpiece of the Bay Area, San Francisco is one of the most visited cities in the world, and with good reason. The cultural center of northern California, San Francisco is renowned for its mixture of scenic beauty and unique culture that makes it one of the most vibrant and desirable cities in the nation, if not the world.
Sandwiched between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean on a small square of land seven miles (11 km) on each side, San Francisco offers a wealth of treasures for the visitor, from the windswept and often foggy bay to the steep hills lined with Victorian homes that overlook the spectacular scenery of the city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 64.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 34m drive with frequent turns across 64.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 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 39.8 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 early in the drive near US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.8 miles you will encounter 20 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 20 key points
These 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.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Market Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Fell Street
Turn left onto Fell Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
47 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|CA 116
Take the exit onto CA 116 toward CA 116 West: Sebastopol, Downtown Cotati
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 481B
Toward CA 116 West: Sebastopol, Downtown Cotati
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from San Francisco, CA to Rio Dell, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Cotati along the way.
Cotati
47 mi in|~1h 5m|via CA 116
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
39.8 mi
48m
Gravenstein Highway
7.7 mi
11m
Gravenstein Highway North
5.7 mi
8m
Presidio Parkway
1.8 mi
3m
Golden Gate Bridge
1.7 mi
2m
Mirabel Road
1.4 mi
2m
Webster Street
1 mi
2m
Divisadero Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 39.8 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Rio Dell, 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
40 mi·48 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto CA 116
0.3 mi·44 sec·CA 116
Exit 481BToward CA 116 West: Sebastopol, Downtown CotatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on CA 116
7.7 mi·11 min·Gravenstein Highway
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on CA 116
0.7 mi·1 min·Petaluma Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn left onto CA 116
435 ft·11 sec·McKinley Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto CA 116
0.2 mi·17 sec·North Main Street
22
Turn slight left onto CA 116
0.5 mi·48 sec·Healdsburg Avenue
23
Continue on CA 116
5.7 mi·8 min·Gravenstein Highway North
24
Continue on CA 116
0.3 mi·31 sec·Front Street
25
Turn right onto Mirabel Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Mirabel Road
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto River Road
0.7 mi·1 min·River Road
27
Turn left onto Rio Vista Road
325 ft·17 sec·Rio Vista Road
Use the left lane.
28
At end of road, turn right onto Rio Vista Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Rio Vista Road
29
Turn right onto Westside Road
136 ft·6 sec·Westside Road
30
Arrive at destination
Westside Road
Trip Plan
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 32.4 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.8 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 14 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.4 miles or 47m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rio Dell, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Francisco, CA
This is one driving day of about 64.8 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from San Francisco, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 39.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.4 mi from San Francisco, CA
· 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 32.4 miles from San Francisco, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Rio Dell, CA
The final approach into Rio Dell, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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...
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,...
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 11.2
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...
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 29.1
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 24.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.89 one way
$29.79 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$15.35
$30.70
premium
$6.18
$15.76
$31.52
diesel
$5.61
$14.31
$28.61
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
$15
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.4
0
$6.80
$3.11
Efficient EV
16.2
0
$5.67
$2.59
EV Truck/SUV
25.9
0
$9.07
$4.15
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
San Francisco, CA
Late night
in San Francisco on Saturday
Local time
12:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rio Dell, CA
Late night
in Rio Dell on Saturday
Local time
12:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
59°F
San Rafael, CA
32 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 34m 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 Rio Dell, CA covers 64.8 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Redwood Highway, Gravenstein Highway, Gravenstein Highway North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.4 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 $14.89 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.8 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
On the drive from San Francisco, CA to Rio Dell, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Cotati along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Muir Woods National Monument and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
