San Francisco to Holtville is 599.9 miles and takes about 11 hours 16 minutes via Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $133 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive spans the length of California, taking you from the Pacific Coast region down to the desert landscapes near the Mexican border. While it's possible to complete in one go, it's a substantial amount of time behind the wheel. Consider breaking this trip into two days to make it more manageable and enjoyable.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
299.9 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
CA 86
66.6 mi
1h 17m
I 5 Truck
58.4 mi
1h 6m
Foothill Freeway
44 mi
50m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
40.3 mi
44m
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.5 mi
34m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.3 mi
33m
San Bernardino Freeway
20.1 mi
23m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 162 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,824 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,650
Quietest
2 AM
~367 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 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 Holtville, 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
16 mi·18 min·MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
13
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
19 mi·22 min·Foothill Freeway
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, VenturaUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
0.5 mi·32 sec·Foothill Freeway
20
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 44AToward CA 57 South: Santa AnaUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on CA 57
3.4 mi·3 min·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 22A; 22BToward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 22BToward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San BernardinoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.0 mi·4 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.0 mi·9 min·I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 10
14 mi·16 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
28
Continue on I 10
40 mi·44 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Toward Redlands, Palm SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
32 mi·34 min·Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 86
67 mi·1 hr 17 min·CA 86
Toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El CentroUse the straight lane.
31
Turn left onto CA 78
3.7 mi·4 min·Brawley Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Continue on CA 78; CA 111
15 mi·17 min·Ben Hulse Highway
Use the straight lane.
33
Turn left onto CR S80; US 80 Hist
6.6 mi·9 min·East Evan Hewes Highway
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on CA 115; US 80 Hist
0.4 mi·39 sec·Palm Avenue
35
Turn right onto CA 115; US 80 Hist
0.2 mi·24 sec·West 5th Street
36
Turn left onto S32
73 ft·2 sec·Holt Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
S32
Trip Plan
Given the 11-hour duration, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. With 3 planned stops, you can break up the drive into roughly three 3-4 hour segments. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without significant services could be around 224 miles. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition before setting out on this extensive California crossing.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 299.9 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 5h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 132 miles or 2h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 299.9 miles or 5h 30m 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 299.9 miles or 5h 30m
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 10h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Holtville, 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.
+
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 San Francisco, CA
Aim for roughly 300 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Holtville, CA
Aim for roughly 300 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 132 miles from San Francisco, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 507.3 — 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
380.7 mi into trip|~7h 3m in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino,...
8
404.5 mi into trip|~7h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
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 22A; 22B
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Lo...
9
404.6 mi into trip|~7h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 22B
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San B...
8
507.3 mi into trip|~9h 25m in|CA 86
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 86 toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Ce...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$145.13 one way
$290.27 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg210 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$149.72
$299.43
premium
$6.50
$153.42
$306.85
diesel
$6.28
$148.23
$296.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$145
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$275–$385
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 209.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $63 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
180
2
$62.99
$28.80
Efficient EV
150
1
$52.49
$24.00
EV Truck/SUV
240
2
$83.99
$38.39
Gas CO2
210 kg
EV CO2
70 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
San Francisco, CA
Morning
in San Francisco on Friday
Local time
6:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Rain Showers Likely
W 12 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 22 at 3:19PM PDT until October 22 at 6:15PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Dust Advisory
Dust Advisory issued October 22 at 2:54PM PDT until October 22 at 4:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Holtville, CA
Morning
in Holtville on Friday
Local time
6:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
W 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 22 at 3:19PM PDT until October 22 at 6:15PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Dust Advisory
Dust Advisory issued October 22 at 2:54PM PDT until October 22 at 4:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
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
20 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
11h 16m 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.
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...
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,...
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 351.7
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 20.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 87% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch measuring 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway. You'll primarily be on major freeways, which means consistent speed limits for extended periods. Expect a significant portion of your drive to be on I-5 Truck before transitioning to CA 86, where you'll experience more rural cruising as you approach your destination.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 86. 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 30 significant decision points across 599.9 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 380.7 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 404.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,575 ft-180 ft
Total Climb
2,745 ft
Total Descent
2,809 ft
Highest Point
1,575 ft
~471.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,755 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 Holtville, CA, road signs point toward Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Redlands, Palm Springs and Brawley - among others.
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
The longest stretch is about 224.4 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 300 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 51 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Holtville, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 51 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 380.7 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 404.5 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 Golden Gate National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.3 hours each way, a round trip means 22.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Holtville, CA before the return drive.
