Colusa, CA to San Francisco, CA is 123.5 miles and takes about 2 hours 26 minutes via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I 505, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive covers ground efficiently between the Pacific Coast regions of Northern California. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways, making it a straightforward journey for those prioritizing speed and directness. It's a good option for a quick trip when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.8 miles from Colusa, 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
33.9 mi
41m
I 505
33.2 mi
35m
Westside Freeway
24.4 mi
26m
Eastshore Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
10th Street
8.7 mi
12m
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
— 33.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colusa, CA and San Francisco, CA.
1
Start on CA 20
0.3 mi·52 sec·Market Street
2
Turn left onto CA 20
8.7 mi·12 min·10th Street
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 5
24 mi·26 min·Westside Freeway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 505
33 mi·35 min·I 505
Toward I 505 South: Winters, San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 1AToward I 80 West: San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 80
28 mi·32 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Eastshore Freeway
10
Continue on I 80
3.4 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto Eastshore Freeway
0.8 mi·1 min·Eastshore Freeway
Toward San FranciscoUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 80
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn slight left onto I 80
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
16
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Continue on I 80
0.8 mi·1 min·Route 80
Exit 2AUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on I 80
0.4 mi·32 sec·Route 80
Exit 1AUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 1BToward US 101 North: Golden Gate BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto US 101
0.3 mi·25 sec·Central Freeway
21
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
0.5 mi·42 sec·Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434BToward Octavia Boulevard, Fell StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·Market Street
Use the right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Market Street
24
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 26 minutes, this trip offers flexibility; you can leave any time of day and still arrive with plenty of daylight. With only 123.5 miles, you won't need extensive stops, but it's always wise to take a break if you feel tired. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially with a budget around $28, and plan your fill-up before you get too low. A practical tip for this route: be aware that traffic can build as you approach San Francisco, so factor that into your arrival time if you're aiming for a specific appointment.
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 61.8 miles from Colusa, CA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 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 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.8 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 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 Colusa, 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 Colusa, CA
This is one driving day of about 123.5 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Colusa, 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 33.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 122.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|CA 20 / 10th Street
Turn left onto CA 20 / 10th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
9 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
33.7 mi into trip|~40m in|I 505
Keep slight right at fork onto I 505 toward I 505 South: Winters, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 505 South: Winters, San Francisco
8
66.9 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West: San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: San Francisco
8
122.1 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
$28.39 one way
$56.77 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$29.25
$58.50
premium
$6.18
$30.03
$60.07
diesel
$5.61
$27.27
$54.53
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: 43.2 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
37.1
0
$12.97
$5.93
Efficient EV
30.9
0
$10.81
$4.94
EV Truck/SUV
49.4
0
$17.29
$7.90
Gas CO2
43 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 18, 2026
Origin
Colusa, CA
Night
in Colusa on Saturday
Local time
9:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Francisco, CA
Night
in San Francisco on Saturday
Local time
9:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
W 6 to 9 mph0% 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 26m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 123.5
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 106.5
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 93.7
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 123.5
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 123.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with 63% of the route on major roadways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I 505. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.9 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a solid period of consistent travel. While primarily freeway, the transition into the Westside Freeway near San Francisco may bring a slight change in traffic patterns. The overall feel is one of efficient transit, designed for covering distance reliably.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.9 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I 505. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near CA 20 / 10th Street.
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 16 significant decision points across 123.5 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 0.3 miles (CA 20 / 10th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 505): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 2h 26m. Total distance: 123.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower 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 0.3 miles (CA 20 / 10th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 505): 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.
