Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Alamo, CA to San Francisco, CA

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

40m

Distance

28.3 mi

46 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 10 min
4 AM
0h 37m ★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 46m
8 PM
0h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
census designated place in Contra Costa County, California, United States

Alamo, CA

Wikimedia Commons

consolidated city and county in California, United States

San Francisco, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Stretching just 28.3 miles from Alamo to San Francisco, this trip is a straightforward connection across the Pacific Coast region. You can easily complete the drive in about 40 minutes, making it a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, it is an affordable excursion that fits into any weekend schedule. Since you are traveling entirely within California, you will find a familiar atmosphere as you transition from the suburbs of Alamo toward the iconic urban landscape of San Francisco. It is a highly practical route for travelers who want to minimize time behind the wheel while maximizing their time at their destination.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
CA 24 8 mi 9m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 6 mi 9m
Grove Shafter Freeway 3.4 mi 4m
Donald D Doyle Highway 3.1 mi 3m
Route 80 1.4 mi 2m
Caldecott Tunnel 0.9 mi 1m
Octavia Boulevard 0.5 mi <1m
MacArthur Freeway 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: CA 24 — 8 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alamo, CA and San Francisco, CA.

1

Start on this road

74 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Danville Boulevard

72 ft · 3 sec · Danville Boulevard
3

Turn right onto Stone Valley Road

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Stone Valley Road
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento, San Jose
5

Merge onto I 680

3.1 mi · 3 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

258 ft · 6 sec
Exit 46A Toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min
Exit 46A Toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on CA 24

8.0 mi · 9 min · CA 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 24

0.9 mi · 1 min · Caldecott Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on CA 24

3.4 mi · 4 min · Grove Shafter Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 580 West, I 580 East: San Francisco, Hayward Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 580 West: San Francisco Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 580: San Francisco, Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 580

0.5 mi · 32 sec · MacArthur Freeway
15

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 19A Toward I 80 West: San Francisco
16

Merge onto I 80

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Toward I 80 West: San Francisco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn slight left onto I 80

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
19

Continue on I 80

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20

Continue on I 80

0.8 mi · 1 min · Route 80
Exit 2A Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21

Continue on I 80

0.4 mi · 32 sec · Route 80
Exit 1A Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 1B Toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Merge onto US 101

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Central Freeway
24

Continue on Octavia Boulevard

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434B Toward Octavia Boulevard, Fell Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Turn right onto Market Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Market Street
Use the right lane.
26

Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Market Street
27

Arrive at destination

Market Street

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 26.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Stone Valley Road

Turn right onto Stone Valley Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
3.6 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette

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 46A Toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette
9
3.7 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 46A Toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette
8
17.8 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 580: San Francisco, Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 580: San Francisco, Sacramento
8
26.9 mi into trip | ~37m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1B Toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.50 one way

$13.01 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $6.70 $13.41
premium $6.18 $6.88 $13.76
diesel $5.61 $6.25 $12.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$7

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8.5 0 $2.97 $1.36
Efficient EV 7.1 0 $2.48 $1.13
EV Truck/SUV 11.3 0 $3.96 $1.81

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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 13, 2026

Origin

Alamo, CA

Morning in Alamo on Tuesday

Local time

8:30 AM

PDT

Current temp

59°F

Chance Rain Showers

WSW 10 mph 37% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 12 at 4:57PM PDT until April 12 at 5:15PM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 2:16PM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Destination

San Francisco, CA

Morning in San Francisco on Tuesday

Local time

8:30 AM

PDT

Current temp

61°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

WSW 13 mph 68% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 12 at 4:57PM PDT until April 12 at 5:15PM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 2:16PM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

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

2 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

40m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive that transitions from suburban corridors to major metropolitan arteries. You will spend roughly 48% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing CA 24, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and the Grove Shafter Freeway. The rhythm of the road is relatively consistent, featuring a longest uninterrupted stretch of 8 miles on CA 24. While the route feels efficient and direct, you should be prepared for the shift from steady highway cruising to the denser traffic patterns inherent in reaching the city. It is a functional, no-nonsense path that prioritizes speed and accessibility over winding, technical backroads.

48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 8 mi on CA 24.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Stone Valley Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 21 decision points packed into just 28.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 40m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Stone Valley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

615 ft -2 ft

Total Climb

507 ft

Total Descent

722 ft

Highest Point

615 ft

~10.1 mi in

Elevation Range

617 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Alamo, CA and San Francisco, CA, road signs point toward Lafayette, Hayward and Sacramento.

Lafayette

3.6 mi in | ~5m

Hayward

17.1 mi in | ~22m

Sacramento

17.8 mi in | ~23m

About the Cities

Arriving in San Francisco, CA

Full guide →

“Frisco” · Founded 1776

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.

Top landmarks

  • • Golden Gate Bridge — suspension bridge on the San Francisco Bay
  • • Alcatraz Island — island in San Francisco, California, United States of America
  • • San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge — suspension bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, California, USA

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 40m. Total distance: 28.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 8 miles on CA 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at San Francisco, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Stone Valley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Francisco, CA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From San Francisco, CA

Alpine, CA 520.1 mi · 9h 52m Chula Vista, CA 509 mi · 9h 38m Fairbanks Ranch, CA 486 mi · 9h 14m Temecula, CA 463.7 mi · 8h 41m

More from Alamo, CA

Chula Vista, CA 486.8 mi · 9h 10m San Diego, CA 479.7 mi · 9h 1m San Bernardino, CA 411.8 mi · 7h 38m Riverside, CA 410 mi · 7h 42m Fontana, CA 404.4 mi · 7h 30m Santa Ana, CA 390.9 mi · 7h 15m

More trips to San Francisco, CA

Calipatria, CA 583.3 mi Harbison Canyon, CA 517.1 mi Rancho San Diego, CA 511.7 mi Bonita, CA 510.4 mi Lemon Grove, CA 507.2 mi San Diego, CA 502.1 mi
Escape planner: Alamo, CA Scenic drives in CA

Explore more options from Alamo, CA or browse trips ending in San Francisco, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.