How far is Buena Vista, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Buena Vista, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 52.8 miles (85 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 57m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
A city in San Mateo County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buena Vista and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buena Vista and San Francisco.
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1
Start on Douglas Street
834 ft · 46 sec · Douglas Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Meridian Avenue
669 ft · 20 sec · Meridian Avenue
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3
Turn right onto West San Carlos Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · West San Carlos Street
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4
Turn left onto Woz Way
564 ft · 15 sec · Woz Way
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5
Continue on CA 87 North
635 ft · 19 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Guadalupe Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Guadalupe Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
1032 ft · 25 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
1665 ft · 43 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Bayshore Freeway
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10
Keep slight left
35.8 mi · 43 min
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11
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buena Vista 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.
Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left
35.8 mi · 00h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 52.8 miles (85 km) and usually takes 00h 57m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Redwood City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.9 miles from Buena Vista and 28 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.65 one way or $23.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Buena Vista and Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Redwood 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 Redwood City.
Fremont station
Hayward station
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Santa Clara – Great America station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buena Vista and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 41.73 mi (67.15 km).
#1 Buena Vista
Located in the Santa Clara Valley at an elevation of 121 feet, this unincorporated community is surrounded by the city of San Jose.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.3213300, -121.9166200 |
| Altitude | 37 |
| 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: 85 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $11.65 | $23.29 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $12.09 | $24.18 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $12.44 | $24.88 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $15.65 | $31.30 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026