San Francisco to Signal Hill is 402.7 miles and takes about 7h 29m via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $96 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-California route covers a significant portion of the state, moving from the Pacific Coast region down towards the southern part of the state. Given the extensive highway travel, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering distance efficiently. It's a solid choice if you need to get from Northern to Southern California quickly and are comfortable with a full day behind the wheel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.3 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
58.6 mi
1h 7m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.3 mi
33m
I 405 Truck
23 mi
26m
San Diego Freeway
20.3 mi
23m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
MacArthur Freeway
15.9 mi
18m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 192 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~8,064 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~710 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Signal Hill, 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
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
23 mi·26 min·I 405 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
20 mi·23 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 29BToward Signal Hill, Cherry Avenue SouthUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 29BToward Signal HillUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn right onto Cherry Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Cherry Avenue
22
Turn right onto East Willow Street
75 ft·1 sec·East Willow Street
23
Arrive at destination
East Willow Street
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from San Francisco early in the morning, ideally before 7 AM, will help you avoid the worst of the Bay Area's commuter traffic. With a total duration of around 7.5 hours, you'll want to plan for at least two stops to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch on the Westside Freeway is substantial, so consider grabbing a snack before you embark on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach more rural stretches between major cities, as stations can be less frequent.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.3 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 89 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.3 miles or 3h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Signal 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Francisco, CA
This is one driving day of about 402.7 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from San Francisco, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 401.9 — 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...
6
36.4 mi into trip|~46m in|I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
358.1 mi into trip|~6h 37m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
8
401.6 mi into trip|~7h 27m in
Take the exit toward Signal Hill, Cherry Avenue South
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 29B
Toward Signal Hill, Cherry Avenue South
8
401.9 mi into trip|~7h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Signal Hill
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 29B
Toward Signal Hill
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.25 one way
$168.50 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$87.50
$175.00
premium
$5.67
$89.81
$179.63
diesel
$4.80
$76.04
$152.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$84
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.8
1
$42.28
$19.33
Efficient EV
100.7
1
$35.24
$16.11
EV Truck/SUV
161.1
2
$56.38
$25.77
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 19, 2026
Origin
San Francisco, CA
Night
in San Francisco on Sunday
Local time
11:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Sunny
WSW 6 to 12 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 19 at 11:41AM PDT until July 20 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 11:24AM PDT until July 21 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Signal Hill, CA
Night
in Signal Hill on Sunday
Local time
11:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
WSW 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 19 at 11:41AM PDT until July 20 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 11:24AM PDT until July 21 at 5:00PM 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
16 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
7h 29m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 374.9
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 13.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 98% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience the longest continuous stretch on the Westside Freeway, covering 224.4 miles before you transition to surface roads. Expect a lot of merging and exiting as you navigate through various urban and suburban areas, particularly as you get closer to your destination in Signal Hill.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 402.7 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 36.4 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 358.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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
Long Beach is a large port city in Los Angeles County in Southern California. Long Beach has some nice people-gathering amenities and genuine tourist attractions, such as a world-class aquarium and the Queen Mary floating museum/hotel. Special events are also held in the city like the annual Long Beach Grand Prix (a premier racing event held on city streets) and the annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride event. When compared to other areas like Hollywood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and West L.A., Long Beach may not always be at the top of someone's tourist visit to the Los Angeles area, but the city draws its fair share of visitors and has proven it can definitely hold its own.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 402.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 Signal Hill, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 34 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 36.4 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 358.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Signal Hill, CA before the return drive.
