Origin
Emerald Lake Hills, CA
Night in Emerald Lake Hills on Saturday
Local time
11:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Emerald Lake Hills, CA to San Francisco, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
41m
Distance
29.8 mi
48 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Emerald Lake Hills, CA
Jeffrey Eisen
San Francisco, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Emerald Lake Hills to San Francisco is 29.8 miles and takes about 41 minutes via Junipero Serra Freeway, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This quick drive keeps you within California's Pacific Coast region for its entirety. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, making it a convenient option for a short hop between these two points. Given its brevity, this route is ideal for a same-day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. Consider this for a straightforward commute or the start of a longer adventure.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Junipero Serra Freeway | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| Bayshore Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| James Lick Freeway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Edgewood Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Quentin L. Kopp Freeway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Sylvan Way | 1 mi | 3m |
| Central Freeway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Lakeview Way | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Junipero Serra Freeway
— 13.7 mi, about 15m
Traffic on I-280
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,865 veh/hr typical · worst 5,624
Quietest
3 AM
~58 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
83.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 13 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emerald Lake Hills, CA and San Francisco, CA.
1
Start on Midland Way
166 ft
·
7 sec
·
Midland Way
2
Turn right onto Vernal Way
494 ft
·
24 sec
·
Vernal Way
3
Turn sharp left onto Sylvan Way
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Sylvan Way
4
Continue on Sylvan Way
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Sylvan Way
5
Continue on Sylvan Way
327 ft
·
18 sec
·
Sylvan Way
6
Turn left onto Lakeview Way
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeview Way
7
At end of road, turn left onto Cordilleras Road
128 ft
·
9 sec
·
Cordilleras Road
8
Turn left onto Edgewood Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Edgewood Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 280 North: San Francisco
Use the straight lane.
10
Merge onto I 280
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Junipero Serra Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 43B
Toward I 380 East: San Francisco International Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 380
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Quentin L. Kopp Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6B
Toward US 101 North: San Francisco
14
Merge onto US 101
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 101
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
James Lick Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 101
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Freeway
Toward Civic Center, Golden Gate Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434B
Toward Octavia Boulevard, Fell Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Market Street
Use the right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Market Street
20
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 18.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Sylvan Way
Turn sharp left onto Sylvan Way
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 280 North: San Francisco
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 280 North: San Francisco
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 280 / Junipero Serra Freeway
Merge onto I 280 / Junipero Serra Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
16.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward I 380 East: San Francisco International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 43B
Toward I 380 East: San Francisco International...
5
18.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward US 101 North: San Francisco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6B
Toward US 101 North: San Francisco
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.75 one way
$13.51 round trip
$5.76/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.96 | $6.99 | $13.98 |
| premium | $6.09 | $7.15 | $14.29 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $6.34 | $12.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.13 | $1.43 |
| Efficient EV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.61 | $1.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.17 | $1.91 |
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.
Destination
San Francisco, CA
Night in San Francisco on Saturday
Local time
11:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
41m 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 route is an 83% highway-focused drive, predominantly utilizing the Junipero Serra Freeway, Bayshore Freeway, and James Lick Freeway. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving, with the longest segment covering 13.7 miles on the Junipero Serra Freeway. The character of the drive is largely dictated by these freeways, suggesting a consistent pace and flow. Expect a straightforward, efficient journey without many deviations from the main thoroughfares.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.7 mi on Junipero Serra Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Junipero Serra Freeway and Bayshore Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Sylvan Way.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 29.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Sylvan Way): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (I 280 / Junipero Serra Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Emerald Lake Hills, CA to San Francisco, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Civic Center along the way.
Civic Center
28.3 mi in
|
~38m
|
via US 101
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Four Barrel Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Francisco, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Another Cafe
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
42min in
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Francisco
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-20:00
Visit websiteAngel Cafe & Deli
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Francisco, CA
Hours: Mo,We-Sa 06:00-14:00; Su 07:00-14:00; Tu...
Noe Cafe
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
37min in
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Francisco, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop;beer
Visit websiteChloe's Cafe
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
37min in
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Francisco
Lovejoy's Tea Room
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
37min in
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Francisco
Cuisine: tea
Hours: Mo-We off; Th-Su 11:00-17:00
Mezze and Mooore
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Francisco, CA
Cuisine: lebanese
Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-21:00; Su off
Visit websiteLittle Star Pizza
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Francisco
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Su-Th 11:30-21:30; Fr,Sa 11:30-22:30
Visit websiteDenny's
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
28min in
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: american
Hours: 24/7
Teo Restaurant & Bar
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Francisco, CA
Cuisine: chinese
Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-21:30; Fr 11:30-14:00,17:00-...
Cafe Mason
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Francisco, CA
Cuisine: international;mexican
Hours: 06:30-14:30
Visit websitePinecrest Diner
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: american
Hours: Mo-We 07:00-23:00; Th 07:00-24:00; Fr-Sa...
Visit websiteSkyline Park
Park
Around the midpoint, right off the route
19min in
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Elm Court Recreation Building
Park
Later in the drive, right off the route
28min in
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Hillside Recreation Center
Park
Later in the drive, right off the route
28min in
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Portola Expedition Historical Marker
Park
Around the midpoint, right off the route
19min in
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Alamo Square Historic District
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Paradise Valley Park
Park
Later in the drive, right off the route
28min in
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Simon Bolivar
Artwork
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
California Volunteers Memorial
Monument
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Museum of the African Diaspora
Museum
Near the end, short detour
42min in
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Francisco
Hours: We-Sa 11:00-18:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Visit websiteCalifornia Historical Society Museum & Bookstore
Museum
Near the end, short detour
42min in
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Francisco
Visit websiteMuseum of Russian Culture
Museum
Near the end, short detour
42min in
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Francisco, CA
Hours: We/Sa 12:00-17:00
Visit websiteAlamo Square Historic District
District
Near the end, right off the route
42min in
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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 41m. Total distance: 29.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.7 miles on Junipero Serra Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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.
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: at 0.1 miles (Sylvan Way): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (I 280 / Junipero Serra Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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