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Trip from Nuevo, 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

8h 33m

Distance

453.8 mi

730 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$104

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
8h 25m ★
6 AM
8h 33m
8 AM
8h 48m
10 AM
8h 38m
12 PM
8h 37m
3 PM
8h 39m
5 PM
8h 48m
8 PM
8h 28m

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

Downtown Nuevo, CA, CA

Nuevo, CA

Dominik Gryzbon

consolidated city and county in California, United States

San Francisco, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 453.8-mile journey from Nuevo, CA to San Francisco, CA will take approximately 8 hours and 33 minutes of driving time. Given the duration, it's best split over two days, especially considering the estimated fuel cost of $104. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 96% of it being on major roads like the Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck. You'll experience a consistent driving environment for most of the trip. Planning for at least two stops is recommended to break up the drive. This route connects two points within the Pacific Coast region of California.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

226.9 miles from Nuevo, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 21m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 225.6 mi 4h 1m
Foothill Freeway 43.9 mi 50m
I 5 Truck 37.1 mi 42m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway 29.6 mi 34m
CA 60 23 mi 26m
Golden State Freeway 22.3 mi 25m
William Elton Brown Freeway 17 mi 18m
MacArthur Freeway 15.5 mi 17m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Lakeview Avenue

80 ft · 4 sec · Lakeview Avenue
2

Turn right onto Nuevo Road

4.6 mi · 7 min · Nuevo Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Continue on West Nuevo Road

0.4 mi · 38 sec · West Nuevo Road
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 215 North: Riverside Use the right lane.
5

Merge onto I 215

15 mi · 17 min · Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit onto CA 60

23 mi · 26 min · CA 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 29B Toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward CA 71 North: Pomona Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto CA 71

3.5 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward CA 57 North
12

Continue on CA 57

3.4 mi · 3 min · CA 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min
Exit 25C Toward I 210 West: Pasadena
14

Merge onto I 210

18 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

26 mi · 29 min · Foothill Freeway
Exit 26A Toward I 210 West: Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
17

Merge onto I 5 Truck

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

226 mi · 4 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

16 mi · 17 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass

1.1 mi · 1 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
23

Merge onto I 580

18 mi · 20 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

12 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580

8.3 mi · 9 min · MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

7.2 mi · 8 min · MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 19A Toward I 80 West: San Francisco
28

Merge onto I 80

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Toward I 80 West: San Francisco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Turn slight left onto I 80

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
30

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight left lane.
31

Continue on I 80

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Route 80
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
32

Continue on I 80

0.8 mi · 1 min · Route 80
Exit 2A Use the straight / slight left lanes.
33

Continue on I 80

0.4 mi · 32 sec · Route 80
Exit 1A Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

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.
35

Merge onto US 101

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Central Freeway
36

Continue on Octavia Boulevard

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434B Toward Octavia Boulevard, Fell Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Turn right onto Market Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Market Street
Use the right lane.
38

Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Market Street
39

Arrive at destination

Market Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 453.8-mile drive, plan to split it over two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to start your first day early to maximize daylight driving. With two recommended stops, consider breaking the journey roughly in half, perhaps after the longest stretch of 225.6 miles on the Westside Freeway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $104, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. This highway-heavy route means you'll find services readily available, but it's always wise to have a general idea of your next fuel stop.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 226.9 miles from Nuevo, CA, or about 4h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 100 miles or 2h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 226.9 miles or 4h 21m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 226.9 miles or 4h 21m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 20m

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 Nuevo, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Nuevo, CA

Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into San Francisco, CA

Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Nuevo, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 225.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Bakersfield, CA

227 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Bakersfield, CA

Popular next leg

Bakersfield, CA to San Francisco, CA

283.4 mi · 5h 19m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Bakersfield, CA

227 mi · about 4.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Bakersfield, CA after about 227 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fresno, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 226.9 miles from Nuevo, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 225.6 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 227 miles or 4.3 hours on the road.

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 33

5 decision points cluster between mile 43.2 and 452.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
43.2 mi into trip | ~52m in

Take the exit toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona

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 29B Toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
7
43.5 mi into trip | ~53m in

Keep slight right at fork toward CA 71 North: Pomona

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward CA 71 North: Pomona
8
71.2 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | I 210 / Foothill Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 26A Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
8
428.5 mi into trip | ~7h 59m in | I 580 / MacArthur Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 580: Oakland, San Francisco
8
452.4 mi into trip | ~8h 30m 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

$104.30 one way

$208.61 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 159 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $107.48 $214.97
premium $6.18 $110.36 $220.72
diesel $5.61 $100.19 $200.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$104

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$234–$344

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 158.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 136.1 1 $47.65 $21.78
Efficient EV 113.5 1 $39.71 $18.15
EV Truck/SUV 181.5 2 $63.53 $29.04

Gas CO2

159 kg

EV CO2

53 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 14, 2026

Origin

Nuevo, CA

Late night in Nuevo on Tuesday

Local time

3:26 AM

PDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Francisco, CA

Late night in San Francisco on Tuesday

Local time

3:26 AM

PDT

Current temp

63°F

Sunny

W 6 to 12 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 11:57AM PDT until April 15 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 9:35AM PDT until April 15 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

15 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

8h 33m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 96% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll encounter the Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, and I-5 Truck as your main arteries. The longest uninterrupted stretch clocks in at 225.6 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. This profile suggests a generally straightforward and efficient journey, with minimal deviations onto slower, local roads.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225.6 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.2 miles in.

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 33 significant decision points across 453.8 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 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.2 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

On the drive from Nuevo, CA to San Francisco, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Pomona along the way.

Pomona

43.2 mi in | ~52m

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 225.6 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 227 miles on day one.

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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.2 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at San Francisco, CA before the return drive.

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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