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Trip from Nevada City, CA to San Francisco, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h

Distance

147 mi

237 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 49m ★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

town and county seat of Nevada County, California, United States

Nevada City, CA

Wikimedia Commons

consolidated city and county in California, United States

San Francisco, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 147.2-mile drive from Nevada City, CA, to San Francisco, CA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via the Golden Center Freeway and Grass Valley Highway, eventually merging onto I-80 West for a significant portion of the trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $34, it's an economical option for a quick transition between regions within California. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

73.5 miles from Nevada City, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 63.4 mi 1h 15m
Golden Center Freeway 19 mi 25m
Alan S. Hart Freeway 16.8 mi 19m
Eastshore Freeway 15.2 mi 17m
North Sacramento Beltline Freeway 13.2 mi 15m
Grass Valley Highway 8 mi 11m
Yolo Causeway 3.9 mi 4m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway 3.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 63.4 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Nevada City, CA and San Francisco, CA.

1

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 12 sec · this road
2

Merge onto CA 20; CA 49

19 mi · 25 min · Golden Center Freeway
Use the straight lane.
3

Continue on CA 49

1.1 mi · 1 min · Grass Valley Highway
4

Enter roundabout onto CA 49

107 ft · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway
5

Continue on CA 49

1.3 mi · 1 min · Grass Valley Highway
6

Enter roundabout onto CA 49

106 ft · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway
7

Continue on CA 49

5.6 mi · 9 min · Grass Valley Highway
Use the left lane.
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 80 West: Sacramento
9

Merge onto I 80

17 mi · 19 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 80

7.1 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

13 mi · 15 min · North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 80

3.9 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 80

50 mi · 58 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 80

1.0 mi · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 80

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Eastshore Freeway
16

Continue on I 80

3.4 mi · 3 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 80

14 mi · 16 min · Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit onto Eastshore Freeway

0.8 mi · 1 min · Eastshore Freeway
Toward San Francisco Use the slight left lane.
19

Merge onto I 80

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn slight left onto I 80

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
22

Continue on I 80

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23

Continue on I 80

0.8 mi · 1 min · Route 80
Exit 2A Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24

Continue on I 80

0.4 mi · 32 sec · Route 80
Exit 1A Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 1B Toward US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Merge onto US 101

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Central Freeway
27

Continue on Octavia Boulevard

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434B Toward Octavia Boulevard, Fell Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Turn right onto Market Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Market Street
Use the right lane.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Market Street
30

Arrive at destination

Market Street

Trip Plan

For this 147.2-mile trip, consider an early morning departure to maximize your time in San Francisco and potentially avoid some traffic. With a total duration of just under 3 hours, you likely won't need extensive stops, but a single planned stop for fuel or a quick break will be sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $34, and it's always wise to have a buffer. The "turn-heavy local drive" aspect suggests being particularly attentive to navigation in the initial stages of your departure from Nevada City; double-checking your GPS before you head out is a good idea.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.5 miles from Nevada City, CA, or about 1h 30m 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 32 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73.5 miles or 1h 30m 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 25m

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 Nevada City, 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 Nevada City, CA

This is one driving day of about 147 miles and 3h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Nevada City, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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.

city in Yolo County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Davis, CA

74 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

North Auburn, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Davis, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.5 miles from Nevada City, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

All Season Restaurant & Market

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

North Highlands, California

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch · 1h 4m in 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19164184928

Visit website

Old Sacramento Waterfront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sacramento, California

2.7 mi

Crepevine Restaurants

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

San Francisco, California

2.6 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Roaming Bean Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Berkeley, California

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 13min to go 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 8:30 am–1 pm

+19252572672

Visit website

Saint Frank Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

San Francisco, California

1.8 mi

All Season Restaurant & Market

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

North Highlands, California

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19164184928

Visit website

Old Sacramento Waterfront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19169705226

Visit website

Crepevine Restaurants

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

San Francisco, California

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14156815858

Visit website

Butcher & Barrel

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $100 or ab

Sacramento, California

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+19164763408

Visit website

Noroc Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Carmichael, California

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19164857747

Visit website

Hawks

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $100 or ab

Granite Bay, California

Hours: 5–9 pm

+19167916200

Visit website

Plan B Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $50 to $10

Sacramento, California

Hours: 5–9 pm

+19164833000

Visit website

Roaming Bean Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Berkeley, California

Hours: 8:30 am–1 pm

+19252572672

Visit website

Saint Frank Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

San Francisco, California

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14158818062

Visit website

Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19163059267

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

North Highlands, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

West Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Carmichael, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Sacramento, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Peña Adobe Regional Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.2 mi from route

Vacaville, California

Hours: 7:30 am–7:30 pm

+17074496126

Visit website

Lagoon Valley Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Vacaville, California

Hours: 7:30 am–7:30 pm

+17074694020

Visit website

PanIQ Escape Room San Francisco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Francisco, California

Hours: 2:30–9:30 pm

+14158293758

Visit website

Children's Wonderland Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Vallejo, California

+17076484600

Visit website

Mission Dolores Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Francisco, CA

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14158312700

Visit website

Corona Heights Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Francisco, CA

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+14158312700

Visit website

Helen Diller Playground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Francisco, California

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14158312700

Visit website

Firehouse No. 1 Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Nevada City, California

Hours: 1–4 pm

+15302655468

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 145.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CA 20; CA 49 / Golden Center Freeway

Merge onto CA 20; CA 49 / Golden Center Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
51.2 mi into trip | ~1h 5m 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
137.2 mi into trip | ~2h 44m 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
138.8 mi into trip | ~2h 47m 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
145.6 mi into trip | ~2h 57m 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

$33.79 one way

$67.57 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $34.82 $69.63
premium $6.18 $35.75 $71.50
diesel $5.61 $32.46 $64.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.1 0 $15.43 $7.06
Efficient EV 36.8 0 $12.86 $5.88
EV Truck/SUV 58.8 0 $20.58 $9.41

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 20, 2026

Origin

Nevada City, CA

Late night in Nevada City on Tuesday

Local time

2:21 AM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Francisco, CA

Late night in San Francisco on Tuesday

Local time

2:21 AM

PDT

Current temp

46°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

1 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

3h 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?

Expect a journey that begins with a "turn-heavy local drive" through Nevada City and its surroundings before transitioning to more consistent highway travel. While the provided data indicates 0% highway share in its description, the mention of I-80 West suggests a significant portion of the drive will be on faster, multi-lane roads. The "turn-heavy local drive" profile implies you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction early on. Without a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, it's best to anticipate a mix of city navigation and open road driving as you progress toward San Francisco.

47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 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 around 0.1 miles in near CA 20; CA 49 / Golden Center Freeway.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 17 significant decision points across 147 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 0.1 miles (CA 20; CA 49 / Golden Center Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.2 miles (I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.2 miles (Eastshore Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Nevada City, CA

Full guide →

Nevada City is a city in Nevada County in California's Gold Country. It's known for its well-preserved 19th century downtown and countercultural affiliations.

Top landmarks

  • Nevada Theatre — movie theater and former theater in Nevada City, California, United States
  • Nevada Brewery — commercial building in Nevada City, United States of America
  • Nevada City Downtown Historic District — historic district in California, United States

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 3h. Total distance: 147 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h drive, comfortable solo distance.

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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CA 20; CA 49 / Golden Center Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.2 miles (I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.2 miles (Eastshore Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at San Francisco, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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