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Trip from San Francisco, CA to Woodlake, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 44m

Distance

236.4 mi

380 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 31m ★
6 AM
4h 45m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 54m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 10m
8 PM
4h 37m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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consolidated city and county in California, United States

San Francisco, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Tulare County, California, United States

Woodlake, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 236.4-mile drive from San Francisco, CA, to Woodlake, CA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 44 minutes. You'll spend about 84% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing CA 99, the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, and the MacArthur Freeway. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $54. This is a highway-focused route that moves you efficiently across the Pacific Coast region. Given its manageable duration, it's perfectly suited as a day trip.

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

118.2 miles from San Francisco, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
CA 99 130.8 mi 2h 28m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway 29.3 mi 33m
MacArthur Freeway 15.9 mi 18m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway 14.6 mi 16m
Avenue 384 10.3 mi 16m
CA 120 6.2 mi 7m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 5.8 mi 8m
Avenue 344 4.7 mi 6m
Longest stretch: CA 99 — 130.8 mi, about 2h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Woodlake, 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: Oakland Use 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 8B Toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton Use 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 left at fork onto I 205

3.9 mi · 4 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 205

11 mi · 11 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13

Merge onto I 5

1.0 mi · 1 min · Westside Freeway
14

Take the exit

469 ft · 6 sec
Toward CA 120 East: Manteca, Sonora
15

Continue on CA 120

6.2 mi · 7 min · CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 6 Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno Use the slight right lane.
17

Merge onto CA 99

108 mi · 2 hr 4 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

22 mi · 24 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 109 Toward Avenue 384 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn left onto J38

463 ft · 11 sec · Diagonal 24
21

At end of road, turn right onto J38

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Diagonal 27
22

Continue on J38

10 mi · 16 min · Avenue 384
23

Turn right onto Road 108

2.0 mi · 2 min · Road 108
24

Turn left onto Avenue 368

3.0 mi · 4 min · Avenue 368
25

Turn right onto J15

2.0 mi · 2 min · Road 132
26

Turn left onto Avenue 352

3.0 mi · 4 min · Avenue 352
27

Turn right onto J23

1.0 mi · 1 min · Road 156
28

Turn left onto Avenue 344

4.7 mi · 6 min · Avenue 344
29

Continue on CA 216

2.3 mi · 3 min · West Naranjo Boulevard
30

Enter roundabout onto CA 216

94 ft · 1 sec · East Naranjo Boulevard
31

Continue on CA 216

16 ft · 0 sec · East Naranjo Boulevard
32

Arrive at destination

CA 216

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 4-hour, 44-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from San Francisco to bypass potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being over 130 miles, plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the latter half of your journey on CA 99, to ensure you have enough to reach Woodlake. This route is straightforward enough that you have flexibility in when and where you pause.

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 118.2 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.8 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 118.2 miles or 2h 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodlake, 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 236.4 miles and 4h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 CA 99 for about 130.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ripon, CA

118 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

Brentwood, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Winton, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 118.2 miles from San Francisco, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130.8 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 207.6 — 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.
6
54.3 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
8
76.1 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Take the exit toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno

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 6 Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
7
207.6 mi into trip | ~4h 1m in

Take the exit toward Avenue 384

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 109 Toward Avenue 384

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.33 one way

$108.67 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $55.99 $111.98
premium $6.18 $57.49 $114.98
diesel $5.61 $52.19 $104.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.9 0 $24.82 $11.35
Efficient EV 59.1 0 $20.69 $9.46
EV Truck/SUV 94.6 1 $33.10 $15.13

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

San Francisco, CA

Late night in San Francisco on Tuesday

Local time

1:53 AM

PDT

Current temp

70°F

Sunny

N 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:32AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Destination

Woodlake, CA

Late night in Woodlake on Tuesday

Local time

1:53 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

2 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

4h 44m 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

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 8.2
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...

21 mi from route ~51 min detour Free near mile 16.3
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 drive, with 84% of the route on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 130.8 miles along CA 99, offering a solid period of consistent travel. This means the personality of the drive is largely about covering distance efficiently, with a focus on the main arteries connecting these two points within California. While not overly technical, the constant progression on these freeways defines the character of this journey.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130.8 mi on CA 99.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 25 significant decision points across 236.4 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 54.3 miles (I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Woodlake, CA, road signs point toward Stockton, Sonora, Fresno and Avenue 384.

Stockton

54.3 mi in | ~1h 6m | via I 205

Sonora

69.8 mi in | ~1h 24m

Fresno

76.1 mi in | ~1h 31m

Avenue 384

207.6 mi in | ~4h 1m

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 4h 44m. Total distance: 236.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 130.8 miles on CA 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Woodlake, 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 1 meaningful breaks. 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 36.4 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.3 miles (I 205 / Robert T. Monagan Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Woodlake, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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