This 119.8-mile drive from Auburn, CA to San Francisco, CA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 23 minutes. You'll spend about 42% of your journey on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 63.4 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $28. The route offers a mixed drive experience as you transition from the Pacific Coast region near Auburn to the bustling Pacific Coast region around San Francisco. This makes it a practical option for a quick transition between these two areas.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.9 miles from Auburn, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
63.4 mi
1h 15m
Alan S. Hart Freeway
16.5 mi
19m
Eastshore Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
13.2 mi
15m
Yolo Causeway
3.9 mi
4m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
Route 80
1.4 mi
2m
Carquinez Bridge
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 63.4 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, CA and San Francisco, CA.
1
Start on this road
87 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn slight left
96 ft·7 sec
3
Turn right
48 ft·9 sec
4
Turn left onto Lincoln Way
87 ft·10 sec·Lincoln Way
5
Turn left onto Maple Street
526 ft·9 sec·Maple Street
6
Continue on Maple Street Bridge
406 ft·13 sec·Maple Street Bridge
7
At end of road, turn left onto Placer Street
421 ft·13 sec·Placer Street
8
Turn left onto Nevada Street
88 ft·1 sec·Nevada Street
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 80 West
10
Merge onto I 80
16 mi·19 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 80
7.1 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
13 mi·15 min·North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 80
3.9 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 80
50 mi·58 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Eastshore Freeway
17
Continue on I 80
3.4 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto Eastshore Freeway
0.8 mi·1 min·Eastshore Freeway
Toward San FranciscoUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 80
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn slight left onto I 80
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
23
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
Continue on I 80
0.8 mi·1 min·Route 80
Exit 2AUse the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Continue on I 80
0.4 mi·32 sec·Route 80
Exit 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 1BToward US 101 North: Golden Gate BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto US 101
0.3 mi·25 sec·Central Freeway
28
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
0.5 mi·42 sec·Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434BToward Octavia Boulevard, Fell StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·Market Street
Use the right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Market Street
31
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours and 23 minutes for this 119.8-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility in planning your departure. Consider leaving Auburn, CA early in the morning to avoid potential traffic as you approach San Francisco. With no designated stops in the data, you can decide on the fly where to take a break. The $28 fuel cost is a reasonable budget for this journey, but it's always wise to check your fuel level before heading out, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 63.4 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
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 59.9 miles from Auburn, CA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.9 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Francisco, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, 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 Auburn, CA
This is one driving day of about 119.8 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Auburn, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 63.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 118.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Lincoln Way
Turn left onto Lincoln Way
Navigation decision point
6
24 mi into trip|~28m in|I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
110 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|Eastshore Freeway
Take the exit onto Eastshore Freeway toward San Francisco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward San Francisco
6
111.5 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
$27.54 one way
$55.07 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$28.37
$56.75
premium
$6.18
$29.13
$58.27
diesel
$5.61
$26.45
$52.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.9
0
$12.58
$5.75
Efficient EV
30
0
$10.48
$4.79
EV Truck/SUV
47.9
0
$16.77
$7.67
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Auburn, CA
Late night
in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
3:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Francisco, CA
Late night
in San Francisco on Tuesday
Local time
3:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
WSW 2 to 10 mph2% chanceLive 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
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
2h 23m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 103.3
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 119.8
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 90.9
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 119.8
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,...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$15
near mile 119.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The road character on this route is predominantly highway driving, with 42% of the miles covered on major freeways. You'll experience a significant 63.4-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, indicating a substantial period of consistent travel. While much of the drive utilizes the Alan S. Hart Freeway and Eastshore Freeway, expect a mixed drive profile rather than a purely monotonous interstate experience. This blend suggests periods of faster travel interspersed with potential variations as you get closer to your destination.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.4 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Lincoln Way.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 119.8 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 (Lincoln Way): Navigation decision point; at 24 miles (I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110 miles (Eastshore Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 119.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). 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 63.4 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lincoln Way): Navigation decision point; at 24 miles (I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110 miles (Eastshore Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, San Francisco Maritime 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.
