The drive from San Francisco, CA to Esparto, CA covers 81.3 miles and takes about 1h 39m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, I 505, Eastshore Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 34 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.02 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.6 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
34 mi
41m
I 505
20.7 mi
22m
Eastshore Freeway
14.3 mi
16m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.5 mi
3m
CA 16
2.8 mi
4m
Carquinez Bridge
1 mi
1m
State Route 16
1 mi
1m
Route 80
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 34 mi, about 41m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,100 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,002
Quietest
3 AM
~671 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 28 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 San Francisco, CA and Esparto, CA.
1
Start on Market Street
312 ft·7 sec·Market Street
2
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·11th Street
3
Turn left onto Bryant Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Bryant Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward I 80 East: OaklandUse the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Route 80
6
Continue on I 80
6.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·45 sec
Toward I 80 EastUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 880
407 ft·6 sec·Nimitz Freeway
9
Continue on I 80; I 580
3.3 mi·4 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
7.4 mi·8 min·Eastshore Freeway
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 80
3.2 mi·3 min·Eastshore Freeway
Exit 21Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Continue on I 80
3.5 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·26 sec·Eastshore Freeway
14
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
15
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
13 mi·15 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 505 North: Winters, ReddingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 505 North: Winters, ReddingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 505
21 mi·22 min·I 505
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 21Toward CA 16: Woodland, EspartoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto CA 16
1.0 mi·1 min·State Route 16
22
Enter roundabout onto CA 16
136 ft·2 sec·CA 16
23
Continue on CA 16
2.8 mi·4 min·CA 16
24
Turn right onto CA 16
0.2 mi·19 sec·Yolo Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
CA 16
Trip Plan
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 40.6 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.6 miles or 51m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Esparto, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Francisco, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Francisco, CA
This is one driving day of about 81.3 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from San Francisco, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 34 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.7 and 77 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.7 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East
8
12.6 mi into trip|~19m in|I 80 / Eastshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Eastshore Freeway toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
7
55.6 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
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.
Toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
8
55.8 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
8
77 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward CA 16: Woodland, Esparto
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 21
Toward CA 16: Woodland, Esparto
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.02 one way
$36.05 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.81
$18.60
$37.20
premium
$5.98
$19.15
$38.30
diesel
$5.60
$17.92
$35.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.4
0
$8.54
$3.90
Efficient EV
20.3
0
$7.11
$3.25
EV Truck/SUV
32.5
0
$11.38
$5.20
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Aug 31, 2026
Origin
San Francisco, CA
Afternoon
in San Francisco on Friday
Local time
1:14 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Slight Chance Drizzle
WSW 10 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 30 at 1:16PM PDT until August 31 at 3:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued August 30 at 12:56PM PDT until August 31 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Esparto, CA
Afternoon
in Esparto on Friday
Local time
1:14 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 30 at 1:16PM PDT until August 31 at 3:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued August 30 at 12:56PM PDT until August 31 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.
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 39m 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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
81.3 mi in 1h 39m — 53% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower 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 8.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.3 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
351 ft-4 ft
Total Climb
649 ft
Total Descent
512 ft
Highest Point
351 ft
~34.8 mi in
Elevation Range
354 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Francisco, CA and Esparto, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento and Redding.
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 39m. Total distance: 81.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower 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 Esparto, 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 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (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 Esparto, CA before heading back.
