This 64.3-mile journey from Rio Dell to San Francisco takes approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Redwood Highway and Gravenstein Highway. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $15, this route offers a straightforward drive. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so expect a consistent coastal feel. This drive is a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick transition between Northern California destinations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.2 miles from Rio Dell, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
39.9 mi
48m
Gravenstein Highway
7.6 mi
11m
Gravenstein Highway North
5.7 mi
8m
Golden Gate Bridge
1.7 mi
2m
Presidio Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Mirabel Road
1.4 mi
2m
Webster Street
1 mi
2m
North Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 39.9 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Dell, CA and San Francisco, CA.
1
Start on Westside Road
136 ft·10 sec·Westside Road
2
Turn right onto Rio Vista Road
93 ft·4 sec·Rio Vista Road
3
Continue on Rio Vista Road
0.2 mi·50 sec·Rio Vista Road
4
Continue on Rio Vista Road
325 ft·15 sec·Rio Vista Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto River Road
0.7 mi·1 min·River Road
6
Turn right onto Mirabel Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Mirabel Road
Use the right lane.
7
At end of road, turn left onto CA 116
0.3 mi·29 sec·Front Street
8
Continue on CA 116
5.7 mi·8 min·Gravenstein Highway North
9
Continue on CA 116
0.5 mi·50 sec·Healdsburg Avenue
10
Continue on CA 116
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 116
7.6 mi·11 min·Gravenstein Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the ramp onto CA 116
0.3 mi·36 sec·CA 116
Toward US 101 South: San FranciscoUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 101; CA 116
30 mi·34 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
10 mi·13 min·Redwood Highway
Toward US 101: San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 101
1.7 mi·2 min·Golden Gate Bridge
16
Merge
34 ft·0 sec
17
Keep slight left at fork
130 ft·1 sec
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·8 sec
19
Continue on US 101; CA 1
1.6 mi·3 min·Presidio Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 101
0.2 mi·43 sec·Richardson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 101
0.1 mi·25 sec·Lombard Street
22
Turn right onto Divisadero Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Divisadero Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto California Street
0.5 mi·1 min·California Street
24
Turn right onto Webster Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Webster Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto Oak Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Oak Street
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto Gough Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Gough Street
27
Turn slight left onto Market Street
183 ft·15 sec·Market Street
Use the slight left lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto Market Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Market Street
29
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 32 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. You can leave Rio Dell early to maximize your day in San Francisco or depart later for a more relaxed morning. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own brief breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Be mindful of the turn-heavy nature of the drive, especially as you transition to the Gravenstein Highway sections. The estimated fuel cost of $15 is quite reasonable, so ensure your tank is full before you begin.
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 32.2 miles from Rio Dell, CA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.9 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 14 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.2 miles or 45m 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 13m
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 Rio Dell, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rio Dell, CA
This is one driving day of about 64.3 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Rio Dell, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 39.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 63.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Rio Vista Road
Turn right onto Rio Vista Road
Navigation decision point
7
47.2 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|US 101 / Redwood Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Redwood Highway toward US 101: San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101: San Francisco
6
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|Divisadero Street
Turn right onto Divisadero Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
62.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|Webster Street
Turn right onto Webster Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
63.6 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|Oak Street
Turn left onto Oak Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.78 one way
$29.56 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$15.23
$30.46
premium
$6.18
$15.64
$31.27
diesel
$5.61
$14.20
$28.39
Estimated Tolls: $9.00
Golden Gate Bridge
$9.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.3
0
$6.75
$3.09
Efficient EV
16.1
0
$5.63
$2.57
EV Truck/SUV
25.7
0
$9.00
$4.12
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (64% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Rio Dell, CA
Morning
in Rio Dell on Tuesday
Local time
6:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
San Francisco, CA
Morning
in San Francisco on Tuesday
Local time
6:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
S 8 mph81% chanceLive forecast
Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning issued April 21 at 12:38AM PDT until April 22 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 21 at 12:34AM PDT until April 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
59°F
San Rafael, CA
32 mi in
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.
Road read
1h 32m 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...
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,...
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 53.2
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...
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 35.5
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 39.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only about a third of the journey on higher-speed highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 39.9 miles on the Redwood Highway. As you progress, the roads will transition, offering a mix of experiences. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; rather, it's a more engaged drive that requires your attention, especially as you navigate through local areas.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.9 mi on Redwood Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Rio Vista Road.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Rio Vista Road): Navigation decision point; at 47.2 miles (US 101 / Redwood Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.3 miles (Divisadero Street): Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 64.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.9 miles on Redwood Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.00 in tolls one way, starting with Golden Gate Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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: near the start (Rio Vista Road): Navigation decision point; at 47.2 miles (US 101 / Redwood Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.3 miles (Divisadero Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Muir Woods National Monument and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (6 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.
