This 267.9-mile journey from San Francisco to Humboldt Hill, California, will take approximately 5 hours and 38 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing the Redwood Highway, Willits Bypass, and Presidio Parkway, this route is best suited as a single-day trip, especially with a fuel cost estimated at $62. You'll be navigating a turn-heavy local drive for much of the way, offering a more intimate experience of the Pacific Coast region you'll be traversing. While it's a manageable day trip, you might consider breaking it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace. This drive offers a good balance of travel time and exploration potential within California.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
134 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
252.9 mi
5h 7m
Willits Bypass
4.7 mi
5m
Presidio Parkway
1.8 mi
3m
Golden Gate Bridge
1.7 mi
2m
Webster Street
1 mi
2m
Divisadero Street
0.8 mi
1m
Humboldt Hill Road
0.7 mi
1m
Linda Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 252.9 mi, about 5h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Humboldt Hill, CA.
1
Start on Market Street
41 ft·6 sec·Market Street
2
Turn sharp right onto US 101
0.1 mi·27 sec·South Van Ness Avenue
3
Turn right onto Otis Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Otis Street
4
Turn right onto Gough Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Gough Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto Market Street
29 ft·1 sec·Market Street
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
497 ft·10 sec
7
Continue on Franklin Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·Franklin Street
8
Turn left onto Fell Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Fell Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn right onto Webster Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Webster Street
10
Turn left onto California Street
0.5 mi·1 min·California Street
11
Turn right onto Divisadero Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Divisadero Street
12
Turn left onto US 101
0.1 mi·29 sec·Lombard Street
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 101
0.2 mi·40 sec·Richardson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 101
1.8 mi·3 min·Presidio Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 101
1.7 mi·2 min·Golden Gate Bridge
16
Continue on US 101; CA 1
126 mi·2 hr 32 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 101
4.5 mi·5 min·Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·48 sec
19
Merge onto US 101
0.2 mi·16 sec·Willits Bypass
20
Continue on US 101
126 mi·2 hr 35 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward King Salmon
22
Continue on South Broadway Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·South Broadway Street
23
Turn right onto Purdue Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Purdue Drive
24
Turn left onto Stanford Drive
0.2 mi·42 sec·Stanford Drive
25
Turn right onto Humboldt Hill Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Humboldt Hill Road
26
Turn left onto Skyline Drive
0.1 mi·36 sec·Skyline Drive
27
Turn left onto Vista Road
0.2 mi·53 sec·Vista Road
28
Continue on Linda Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Linda Road
29
Continue on Linda Road
350 ft·17 sec·Linda Road
30
Continue on Linda Road
116 ft·5 sec·Linda Road
31
Arrive at destination
Linda Road
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 38-minute drive, aim for an early start from San Francisco to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially if you plan to complete it in one day. With an estimated fuel cost of $62, ensure your vehicle is fueled before you depart. While there's only one recommended stop on this route, take advantage of the 252.9-mile stretch on the Redwood Highway to plan your breaks strategically. Pay close attention to the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile; anticipate frequent adjustments and be mindful of speed limits as you transition through different areas. This route is flexible enough for a single day, but a midday stop will make it more comfortable.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 134 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252.9 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 59 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Humboldt Hill, 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 267.9 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from San Francisco, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 252.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 0.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue
Turn sharp right onto US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Gough Street
Turn right onto Gough Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Market Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Fell Street
Turn left onto Fell Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.05 one way
$112.10 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$58.21
$116.42
premium
$5.67
$59.75
$119.50
diesel
$4.80
$50.58
$101.17
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
$56
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.13
$12.86
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.44
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.51
$17.15
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
San Francisco, CA
Late night
in San Francisco on Sunday
Local time
12:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
WSW 7 to 14 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:37PM PDT until July 18 at 1:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 12:53PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Humboldt Hill, CA
Late night
in Humboldt Hill on Sunday
Local time
12:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Widespread Fog
NNW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:37PM PDT until July 18 at 1:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 12:53PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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.
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
3 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
5h 38m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
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 27.7
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 18.5
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' profile for this 267.9-mile trip. While 100% of the route is on highways, the character leans towards local roads rather than wide-open interstate. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 252.9 miles on the Redwood Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. This suggests a route that likely winds through various towns and communities, requiring your attention to turns and changing speed limits. It's not a monotonous freeway cruise, but rather a more engaging drive through diverse Pacific Coast scenery.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 252.9 mi on Redwood Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 267.9 miles you will encounter 20 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 (US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.3 miles (Gough Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Market 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 5h 38m. Total distance: 267.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 252.9 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.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 101 / South Van Ness Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.3 miles (Gough Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Market 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Humboldt Hill, CA before the return drive.
