Clay to San Francisco is 98.5 miles and takes about 2h 23m via Victory Highway and CA 4, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects two points within California's Pacific Coast region. The route offers a mixed experience, transitioning from highway driving to surface roads. With a recommended one-day trip duration, this is a straightforward drive for most travelers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.3 miles from Clay, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Victory Highway
24.6 mi
34m
CA 4
14.6 mi
16m
Twin Cities Road
12.3 mi
21m
CA 24
9.4 mi
11m
CA 104
9.3 mi
16m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6 mi
9m
CA 242
4.6 mi
4m
River Road
4.2 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Victory Highway
— 24.6 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clay, CA and San Francisco, CA.
1
Start on CA 104
9.2 mi·16 min·CA 104
2
Enter roundabout onto CA 104
103 ft·2 sec·CA 104
3
Continue on CA 104
0.1 mi·11 sec·CA 104
4
Enter roundabout onto E13
89 ft·1 sec·Twin Cities Road
5
Continue on E13
12 mi·21 min·Twin Cities Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto E13
2.2 mi·3 min·River Road
7
Turn right onto J11
461 ft·57 sec·Walnut Grove Bridge
8
Turn left onto CA 160
2.2 mi·3 min·Victory Highway
9
Continue on CA 160
5.9 mi·8 min·Victory Highway
10
Continue on CA 160
0.1 mi·1 min·Victory Highway
11
Turn right onto CA 160
1.2 mi·1 min·River Road
12
Continue on CA 160
469 ft·8 sec·2nd Street
13
Continue on CA 160
0.8 mi·1 min·River Road
14
Continue on CA 160
16 mi·21 min·Victory Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160
0.8 mi·1 min·CA 160
Toward CA 4 WestUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto CA 4
15 mi·16 min·CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242
4.6 mi·4 min·CA 242
Toward CA 242: Oakland, ConcordUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 680
3.2 mi·3 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto CA 24
9.4 mi·11 min·CA 24
Exit 46AToward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette, San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 24
0.9 mi·1 min·Caldecott Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on CA 24
3.4 mi·4 min·Grove Shafter Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 580 West, I 580 East: San Francisco, HaywardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 580 West: San FranciscoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 580: San Francisco, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 580
0.5 mi·32 sec·MacArthur Freeway
26
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 19AToward I 80 West: San Francisco
27
Merge onto I 80
0.2 mi·17 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Toward I 80 West: San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn slight left onto I 80
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
30
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
31
Continue on I 80
0.8 mi·1 min·Route 80
Exit 2AUse the straight / slight left lanes.
32
Continue on I 80
0.4 mi·32 sec·Route 80
Exit 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 1BToward US 101 North: Golden Gate BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Merge onto US 101
0.3 mi·25 sec·Central Freeway
35
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
0.5 mi·42 sec·Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434BToward Octavia Boulevard, Fell StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·Market Street
Use the right lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Market Street
38
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
This 98.5-mile drive is easily completed in a single day, so you can depart at your leisure. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour, especially as you approach San Francisco. With a drive time of just over two hours, you won't need many stops, but it's wise to fuel up before you leave Clay to stay within the estimated $22 fuel cost. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from highway to surface roads to ensure you 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 49.3 miles from Clay, CA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.6 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 22 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.3 miles or 1h 19m 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 56m
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 Clay, 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 Clay, CA
This is one driving day of about 98.5 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Clay, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Victory Highway for about 24.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 49.3 miles from Clay, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.5 and 97.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|CA 160
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160 toward CA 4 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 4 West
8
65.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|CA 242
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242 toward CA 242: Oakland, Concord
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 242: Oakland, Concord
8
73.7 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|CA 24
Take the exit onto CA 24 toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette, San Francisco
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 46A
Toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette, San Fran...
8
88.1 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
97.1 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
$22.33 one way
$44.65 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$23.10
$46.19
premium
$6.09
$23.62
$47.25
diesel
$5.40
$20.95
$41.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.5
0
$10.34
$4.73
Efficient EV
24.6
0
$8.62
$3.94
EV Truck/SUV
39.4
0
$13.79
$6.30
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 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 25, 2026
Origin
Clay, CA
Morning
in Clay on Saturday
Local time
11:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 6:10PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 2:04PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
San Francisco, CA
Morning
in San Francisco on Saturday
Local time
11:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 6:10PM PDT until April 27 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 24 at 2:04PM PDT until April 26 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
5 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.
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...
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...
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 91.7
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 98.5
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 98.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 45% of this 98.5-mile drive is on highways. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on Victory Highway, covering 24.6 miles. The profile is mixed highway and surface, meaning you'll transition from faster-paced road sections to more local streets. Expect some merging and exiting as you navigate between these different road types.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.6 mi on Victory Highway.
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 around 50.5 miles in near CA 160.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 98.5 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 50.5 miles (CA 160): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.9 miles (CA 242): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles (CA 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clay, CA and San Francisco, CA, road signs point toward Concord, Lafayette, Hayward and Sacramento.
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: 98.5 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 (45%). 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 24.6 miles on Victory Highway. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.5 miles (CA 160): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.9 miles (CA 242): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles (CA 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (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.
