How far is Chico, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Chico, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.6 miles (223 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 47m 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 02h 53m.
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.
The most populous city in Yolo County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chico and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chico and San Francisco.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
158 m · 30 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto Broadway Street
994 ft · 49 sec · Broadway Street
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3
Turn slight left onto Oroville Avenue
818 ft · 18 sec · Oroville Avenue
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4
Continue on Park Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Park Avenue
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5
Continue on East Park Avenue
2627 ft · 56 sec · East Park Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right
2452 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left
8 mi · 9 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Yuba City
43.3 mi · 57 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 113 South: Woodland, Tudor Road
1279 ft · 37 sec
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10
Turn right onto Tudor Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · Tudor Road
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11
Continue on South George Washington Boulevard
2.5 mi · 3 min · South George Washington Boulevard
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12
Continue on Sutter Causeway
12.7 mi · 17 min · Sutter Causeway
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13
Continue on County Road 102
7.9 mi · 11 min · County Road 102
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14
Continue on County Road 102
39 m · 7 sec · County Road 102
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15
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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16
Take the ramp left toward CA 113 South: Davis
2270 ft · 55 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Vic Fazio Highway
10.7 mi · 12 min · Vic Fazio Highway
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18
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
42.1 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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19
Continue on Carquinez Bridge
1.6 km · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge
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20
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
1847 ft · 24 sec · Eastshore Freeway
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21
Continue on Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway
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22
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
14 mi · 16 min · Eastshore Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight left toward San Francisco
1.3 km · 1 min · Eastshore Freeway
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24
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1941 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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25
Turn slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1959 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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26
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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27
Continue on Route 80
1438 ft · 24 sec · Route 80
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28
Continue on Route 80
1.2 km · 1 min · Route 80
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29
Continue on Route 80
1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80
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30
Keep slight right to continue on US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
1919 ft · 39 sec
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31
Merge slight right onto Central Freeway
1462 ft · 25 sec · Central Freeway
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32
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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33
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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34
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chico and San Francisco.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Yuba City
Keep slight right to continue on Yuba City
43.3 mi · 00h 57m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chico and Mostly Sunny near San Francisco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chico to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?
Woodland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.3 miles from Chico and 91.9 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.6 miles (223 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.6 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 12:42 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.25 one way or $70.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chico and Mostly Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Woodland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Sacramento
City of West Sacramento City Hall
Esparto Ace Hardware
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Woodland.
Davis station
Sacramento Valley Station
Sacramento (State Capitol), California
Elk Grove, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chico and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 138.57 mi (223.01 km).
#1 Chico
The most populous city in Butte County, California.
| Population | 102,867 |
| Coordinates | 39.7284900, -121.8374800 |
| Altitude | 60 |
| 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: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $35.25 | $70.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $37.06 | $74.13 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $38.14 | $76.29 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $46.23 | $92.47 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.