San Francisco to Galt is 92 miles and takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes via CA 12, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region into the Central Valley, offering a change in scenery as you head inland. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. You'll be on a mix of state routes, so expect a more local feel than a full interstate experience. This route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 12
15.8 mi
21m
CA 4
15 mi
17m
CA 160
13.6 mi
18m
Caldecott Tunnel
9.8 mi
11m
West Peltier Road
5.9 mi
8m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.8 mi
8m
Westside Freeway
4.5 mi
4m
CA 242
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
CA 12
— 15.8 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Galt, 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
5.8 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 8BToward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-StocktonUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 580
0.6 mi·42 sec·MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 19BToward CA 24 East: Berkeley, Walnut CreekUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward CA 24 East: Walnut Creek
11
Merge onto CA 24
3.3 mi·3 min·Grove Shafter Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 24
0.2 mi·13 sec·Grove Shafter Freeway
13
Continue on CA 24
9.8 mi·11 min·Caldecott Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 680
3.8 mi·4 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242
3.9 mi·4 min·CA 242
Exit 50Toward CA 242 North: Concord, PittsburgUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto CA 4
15 mi·17 min·CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160
14 mi·18 min·CA 160
Exit 30Toward CA 160: Rio Vista, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto CA 12
16 mi·21 min·CA 12
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left
0.4 mi·52 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi·4 min·Westside Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Peltier Road
22
Turn right onto West Peltier Road
5.9 mi·8 min·West Peltier Road
23
Turn left onto J10
3.7 mi·6 min·Lower Sacramento Road
24
Continue on J10
1.2 mi·2 min·Lincoln Way
25
Turn right onto A Street
209 ft·4 sec·A Street
26
Arrive at destination
A Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, this is an easy same-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving San Francisco in the morning, perhaps after the peak rush hour, will make for a smoother start. You won't need extensive stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the total fuel cost is estimated at $21. The longest stretch without a significant break is just under 16 miles, so plan any brief pauses accordingly. Since it's a relatively short drive, you can afford to be spontaneous with your timing and enjoy the journey without feeling rushed.
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 46 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.8 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 20 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46 miles or 58m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Galt, 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.
+
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 San Francisco, CA
This is one driving day of about 92 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from San Francisco, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CA 12 for about 15.8 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 76.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8B
Toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-St...
8
9.6 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward CA 24 East: Berkeley, Walnut Creek
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 19B
Toward CA 24 East: Berkeley, Walnut Creek
9
27.7 mi into trip|~37m in|CA 242
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242 toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 50
Toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
9
46.6 mi into trip|~59m in|CA 160
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160 toward CA 160: Rio Vista, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30
Toward CA 160: Rio Vista, Sacramento
6
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.15 one way
$42.29 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$21.79
$43.58
premium
$6.18
$22.37
$44.75
diesel
$5.61
$20.31
$40.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.6
0
$9.66
$4.42
Efficient EV
23
0
$8.05
$3.68
EV Truck/SUV
36.8
0
$12.88
$5.89
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 19, 2026
Origin
San Francisco, CA
Late night
in San Francisco on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Galt, CA
Late night
in Galt on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°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
26 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
2h 2m 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.
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...
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...
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...
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?
This route leans heavily towards highway driving, with 63% of your journey on faster roads. You'll encounter a mix of state highways, including CA 12, CA 4, and CA 160, which provide a consistent pace for most of the 92 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 15.8 miles on CA 12, offering a good opportunity to settle in. While largely highway-focused, these state routes can feel less like a freeway and more like a well-traveled arterial road, especially as you get closer to Galt. The landscape will gradually shift from coastal influences to the flatter terrain of the Central Valley.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.8 mi on CA 12.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 12 and CA 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 92 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 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.7 miles (CA 242): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Galt, CA, road signs point toward Hayward-Stockton, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg and Sacramento.
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 2h 2m. Total distance: 92 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.8 miles on CA 12. 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 Galt, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.7 miles (CA 242): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (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 Galt, CA before heading back.
