How far is Buellton, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Buellton, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 294.9 miles (474.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251.2 miles (404.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 27m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in California, named after its founder, Charles King
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buellton and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buellton and San Francisco.
-
1
Start on the route
49 m · 17 sec
-
2
At the end of the road, turn left
1093 ft · 28 sec
-
3
Take the ramp left toward US 101 North
981 ft · 24 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
235.6 mi · 4 hr 32 min
-
5
Keep slight left
21.9 mi · 25 min
-
6
Keep slight left
35.8 mi · 43 min
-
7
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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8
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buellton and San Francisco.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 101 North
Merge slight left
236 mi · 04h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Buellton and Sunny near San Francisco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buellton to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 294.9 miles (474.6 km) and usually takes 04h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
King City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.3 miles from Buellton and 147.6 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251.2 miles (404.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:04 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $60.06 one way or $120.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Buellton and Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near King City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to King City.
King City, California
Salinas station
Paso Robles station
Carmel, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buellton and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 251.23 mi (404.31 km).
#1 Buellton
City in Santa Barbara County, California
| Population | 5,449 |
| Coordinates | 34.6136000, -120.1926500 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Francisco
The seventeenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Francisco Bay Area.
| Population | 866,606 |
| Coordinates | 37.7749300, -122.4194200 |
| Altitude | 16 |
| Country | United States |
End: Market Street (-122.419433, 37.774953)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 475 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $60.06 | $120.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $63.15 | $126.29 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $64.99 | $129.98 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $78.77 | $157.54 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.