Origin
Del Monte Forest, CA
Afternoon in Del Monte Forest on Saturday
Local time
2:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Del Monte Forest, CA to San Francisco, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
118.1 mi
190 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Del Monte Forest, CA
Wikimedia Commons
San Francisco, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Del Monte Forest to San Francisco is 118.1 miles and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes via Cabrillo Highway and Bayshore Freeway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route takes you from the Pacific Coast region of California up to the San Francisco Bay Area. The drive offers a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel, making it a scenic yet efficient option. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for exploring your starting point or arriving in San Francisco with daylight to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59 miles from Del Monte Forest, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cabrillo Highway | 42.5 mi | 49m |
| Bayshore Freeway | 30.2 mi | 34m |
| Santa Cruz Highway | 21.2 mi | 28m |
| West Valley Freeway | 12.7 mi | 14m |
| James Lick Freeway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Sunridge Road | 1.4 mi | 4m |
| Lopez Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Central Freeway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Cabrillo Highway
— 42.5 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Del Monte Forest, CA and San Francisco, CA.
1
Start on Forest Lake Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Forest Lake Road
2
Turn slight right
231 ft
·
10 sec
3
Turn right onto Lopez Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lopez Road
4
Turn straight onto Sunridge Road
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Sunridge Road
5
Keep slight left at fork onto Ronda Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Ronda Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Sunridge Road
516 ft
·
10 sec
·
Sunridge Road
7
Continue on Sunridge Road
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
·
Sunridge Road
8
Turn right onto Sunridge Road
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Sunridge Road
9
At end of road, turn left onto 17 Mile Drive
390 ft
·
11 sec
·
17 Mile Drive
10
Continue on 17 Mile Drive
183 ft
·
3 sec
·
17 Mile Drive
Toward CA 1 North, CA 68: Monterey, Pacific Grove
11
Turn slight right
140 ft
·
9 sec
Toward CA 1 North, CA 68 East: Monterey
12
Turn right onto CA 68
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Pacific Grove-Carmel Highway
Toward CA 1 North: Monterey
13
Take the ramp onto CA 68
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
CA 68
Toward CA 1 North: Monterey
Use the straight lane.
14
Merge onto CA 1; CA 68
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 1
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
Toward CA 1: Santa Cruz, San Francisco
16
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 1
27 mi
·
32 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
Toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland
18
Merge onto CA 17
21 mi
·
28 min
·
Santa Cruz Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 22
Toward CA 85 North, CA 85 South: Mountain View, Gilroy
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Toward CA 85 North: Mountain View
Use the slight left lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward CA 85 North: Mountain View
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
this road
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward CA 85: Mountain View
24
Merge onto CA 85
13 mi
·
14 min
·
West Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on CA 85
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
CA 85
Exit 24B
Toward US 101 North: San Francisco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto US 101
30 mi
·
34 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 101
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
James Lick Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 101
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Freeway
Toward Civic Center, Golden Gate Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434B
Toward Octavia Boulevard, Fell Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Market Street
Use the right lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Market Street
32
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
For this 118.1-mile drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. Since the total duration is around 2 hours and 30 minutes, you won't need to plan for an overnight stop unless you wish to extend your stay in either region. While there are no specific stops recommended, you'll want to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 42.5-mile stretch on Cabrillo Highway, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is $27, so plan accordingly before departing Del Monte Forest.
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 miles from Del Monte Forest, CA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.5 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 2m
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 Del Monte Forest, 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 Del Monte Forest, CA
This is one driving day of about 118.1 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Del Monte Forest, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Cabrillo Highway for about 42.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59 miles from Del Monte Forest, 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 68.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
CA 68 / Pacific Grove-Carmel Highway
Turn right onto CA 68 / Pacific Grove-Carmel Highway toward CA 1 North: Monterey
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward CA 1 North: Monterey
6
3.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
CA 68
Take the ramp onto CA 68 toward CA 1 North: Monterey
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward CA 1 North: Monterey
8
67.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward CA 85 North, CA 85 South: Mountain View, Gilroy
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 22
Toward CA 85 North, CA 85 South: Mountain View,...
7
67.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 85 North: Mountain View
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward CA 85 North: Mountain View
7
68.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 85 North: Mountain View
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward CA 85 North: Mountain View
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.77 one way
$53.54 round trip
$5.76/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.96 | $27.69 | $55.39 |
| premium | $6.09 | $28.33 | $56.65 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $25.12 | $50.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.40 | $5.67 |
| Efficient EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.33 | $4.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.2 | 0 | $16.53 | $7.56 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Destination
San Francisco, CA
Afternoon in San Francisco on Saturday
Local time
2:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live 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
3 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 29m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 41% of the route on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 42.5 miles on Cabrillo Highway, likely offering a more open-road feel. The profile suggests you'll transition between higher-speed freeway driving and slower surface streets, particularly as you approach more populated areas. Expect to encounter a pattern of merging and exiting as you navigate between the Bayshore Freeway and other main roads.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.5 mi on Cabrillo 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 3.2 miles in near CA 68 / Pacific Grove-Carmel Highway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 118.1 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 3.2 miles (CA 68 / Pacific Grove-Carmel Highway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 3.3 miles (CA 68): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.5 miles: 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Del Monte Forest, CA and San Francisco, CA, road signs point toward Oakland and Gilroy.
Oakland
45.9 mi in
|
~58m
Gilroy
67.5 mi in
|
~1h 27m
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 2h 29m. Total distance: 118.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.5 miles on Cabrillo 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 3.2 miles (CA 68 / Pacific Grove-Carmel Highway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 3.3 miles (CA 68): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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