Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from San Francisco, CA to Twin Lakes, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 35m

Distance

73.8 mi

119 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 29m ★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
consolidated city and county in California, United States

San Francisco, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Twin Lakes, CA, CA

Twin Lakes, CA

ollin focus

Trip Overview

This 73.8-mile drive from San Francisco to Twin Lakes, CA, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Bayshore Freeway (US-101), CA-17, and CA-85, this route offers a direct and efficient journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $17, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The highway-focused profile means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads, making it a straightforward transit between the Pacific Coast regions of both your origin and destination. This drive is ideal for those seeking a simple, no-fuss transit.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

36.9 miles from San Francisco, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Bayshore Freeway 30.2 mi 34m
CA 17 21.5 mi 29m
CA 85 13.3 mi 15m
James Lick Freeway 4.3 mi 6m
Ocean Street 1.2 mi 3m
11th Street 0.6 mi 1m
Santa Cruz Highway 0.6 mi 1m
Murray Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Bayshore Freeway — 30.2 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Twin Lakes, 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

470 ft · 18 sec · Bryant Street
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
5

Merge onto US 101

4.3 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
Toward US 101 South: San Jose Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on US 101

5.2 mi · 6 min · Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101

25 mi · 28 min · Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 85

13 mi · 15 min · CA 85
Exit 398B Toward CA 85 South: Cupertino, Santa Cruz Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Exit 11A Toward CA 17: San Jose, Santa Cruz Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward CA 17 South: Santa Cruz Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto CA 17

21 mi · 29 min · CA 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on CA 17

0.3 mi · 21 sec · Santa Cruz Highway
Exit 1A Toward CA 1 North
13

Merge onto CA 1; CA 17

395 ft · 6 sec · Cabrillo Highway
14

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 17

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Santa Cruz Highway
15

Continue on Ocean Street

1.2 mi · 3 min · Ocean Street
Use the straight lane.
16

At end of road, turn left onto East Cliff Drive

0.3 mi · 39 sec · East Cliff Drive
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn slight left onto Murray Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Murray Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Continue on Eaton Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Eaton Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19

Turn right onto 7th Avenue

75 ft · 2 sec · 7th Avenue
Use the right lane.
20

Arrive at destination

7th Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the short 1 hour and 35-minute duration for this 73.8-mile trip, you have considerable flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving San Francisco mid-morning to avoid the worst of morning commute traffic. With no designated stops in the data, plan your own brief breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. The $17 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the transitions between CA-17 and CA-85, as these can sometimes have faster-moving traffic.

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 36.9 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.2 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 16 miles or 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 36.9 miles or 45m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Twin Lakes, 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 73.8 miles and 1h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from San Francisco, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Bayshore Freeway for about 30.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

incorporated town in Santa Clara County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Los Gatos, CA

37 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

San Bruno, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Los Altos, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.9 miles from San Francisco, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Crepevine Restaurants

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

San Francisco, California

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14156815858

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Saint Frank Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

San Francisco, California

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14158818062

Visit website

Golfland USA

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sunnyvale, California

3 mi

Crepevine Restaurants

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

San Francisco, California

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14156815858

Visit website

Saint Frank Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

San Francisco, California

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14158818062

Visit website

Golfland USA

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 42.2

Sunnyvale, California

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14082458434

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 73.8

Santa Cruz, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 73.8

Santa Cruz, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 73.8

Santa Cruz, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 73.8

Capitola, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 73.8

Santa Cruz, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 63.3

Scotts Valley, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 73.8

Santa Cruz, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 73.8

Santa Cruz, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

PanIQ Escape Room San Francisco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Francisco, California

Hours: 2:30–9:30 pm

+14158293758

Visit website

Old Town Los Gatos

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 52.7

Los Gatos, California

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+18772657417

Visit website

Andrew Spinas Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 26.4

Redwood City, California

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+16507807311

Visit website

Red Door Escape Room

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 21.1

San Mateo, California

Hours: 10 am–10:40 pm

+16504583025

Visit website

Mission Dolores Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Francisco, CA

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14158312700

Visit website

Rinconada Cultural Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 31.6

Palo Alto, California

Hours: 7 am–10:30 pm

Visit website

Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 31.6

Palo Alto, California

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16503292111

Visit website

Eagle Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 36.9

Mountain View, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16509036413

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 73.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 101 / James Lick Freeway

Merge onto US 101 / James Lick Freeway toward US 101 South: San Jose

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 101 South: San Jose
9
35.6 mi into trip | ~43m in | CA 85

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 85 toward CA 85 South: Cupertino, Santa Cruz

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 398B Toward CA 85 South: Cupertino, Santa Cruz
8
48.9 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the exit toward CA 17: San Jose, Santa Cruz

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 11A Toward CA 17: San Jose, Santa Cruz
7
49 mi into trip | ~59m in

Keep slight right at fork toward CA 17 South: Santa Cruz

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward CA 17 South: Santa Cruz
7
73.8 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in | 7th Avenue

Turn right onto 7th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.96 one way

$33.92 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $17.48 $34.96
premium $6.18 $17.95 $35.89
diesel $5.61 $16.29 $32.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.1 0 $7.75 $3.54
Efficient EV 18.5 0 $6.46 $2.95
EV Truck/SUV 29.5 0 $10.33 $4.72

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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 15, 2026

Origin

San Francisco, CA

Morning in San Francisco on Sunday

Local time

8:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Twin Lakes, CA

Morning in Twin Lakes on Sunday

Local time

8:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

70°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

1h 35m 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

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free
Park Closure: Hyde Street Pier Closure
Caution: Sick Birds and Wildlife, H5N1
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

National Monument

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,...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour $15
View on nps.gov
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of the drive taking place on main roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 30.2 miles on the Bayshore Freeway, offering a consistent pace. The transition from the Bayshore Freeway to CA-17 and then CA-85 means you'll experience a mix of freeway driving characteristics, generally keeping you at higher speeds. While not a particularly winding or technically demanding drive, the road's personality is defined by its efficiency and directness, prioritizing getting you to your destination smoothly.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.2 mi on Bayshore Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Bayshore Freeway and CA 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near US 101 / James Lick Freeway.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.1 miles (US 101 / James Lick Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

On the drive from San Francisco, CA to Twin Lakes, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Cruz along the way.

Santa Cruz

35.6 mi in | ~43m | via CA 85

About the Cities

Starting in San Francisco, CA

Full guide →

“Frisco” · Founded 1776

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 73.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 30.2 miles on Bayshore Freeway. 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 Twin Lakes, 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 1.1 miles (US 101 / James Lick Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.9 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 (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 Twin Lakes, CA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from San Francisco, CA

Alpine, CA 520.1 mi · 9h 52m Chula Vista, CA 509 mi · 9h 38m Fairbanks Ranch, CA 486 mi · 9h 14m Temecula, CA 463.7 mi · 8h 41m Banning, CA 463.3 mi · 8h 39m Sedco Hills, CA 450.4 mi · 8h 27m

More trips to Twin Lakes, CA

Santa Ana, CA 374.1 mi Anaheim, CA 367.8 mi Long Beach, CA 365.7 mi Bakersfield, CA 243.5 mi Fresno, CA 152.3 mi Sacramento, CA 147.6 mi
Escape planner: San Francisco, CA Scenic drives in CA

Explore more options from San Francisco, CA or browse trips ending in Twin Lakes, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.