How far is Clay, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Clay, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 98.5 miles (158.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.7 miles (126.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 59m 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 01h 59m.
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 Contra Costa County, California.
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 Clay and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clay and San Francisco.
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1
Start on the route
9.2 mi · 16 min
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
31 m · 2 sec
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3
Exit the roundabout
596 ft · 12 sec
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Twin Cities Road
27 m · 2 sec · Twin Cities Road
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Twin Cities Road
12.3 mi · 22 min · Twin Cities Road
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto River Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · River Road
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7
Turn right onto Walnut Grove Bridge
141 m · 57 sec · Walnut Grove Bridge
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8
Turn left onto Victory Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Victory Highway
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9
Continue on Victory Highway
5.9 mi · 9 min · Victory Highway
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10
Continue on Victory Highway
714 ft · 1 min · Victory Highway
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11
Turn right onto River Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · River Road
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12
Continue on 2nd Street
143 m · 8 sec · 2nd Street
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13
Continue on River Road
1.3 km · 1 min · River Road
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14
Continue on Victory Highway
16.4 mi · 22 min · Victory Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on CA 4 West
1.3 km · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left
14.6 mi · 17 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on CA 242: Oakland, Concord
4.6 mi · 5 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette, San Francisco
9.4 mi · 12 min
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Caldecott Tunnel
1.4 km · 1 min · Caldecott Tunnel
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21
Continue on Grove Shafter Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Grove Shafter Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 580 West, I 580 East: San Francisco, Hayward
1990 ft · 49 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 580 West: San Francisco
1920 ft · 47 sec
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24
Keep slight left to continue on I 580: San Francisco, Sacramento
1213 ft · 30 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto MacArthur Freeway
2484 ft · 33 sec · MacArthur Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: San Francisco
1.5 km · 1 min
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27
Merge slight right onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1015 ft · 17 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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28
Turn slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1959 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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30
Continue on Route 80
1438 ft · 24 sec · Route 80
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31
Continue on Route 80
1.2 km · 1 min · Route 80
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32
Continue on Route 80
1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80
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33
Keep slight right to continue on US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
1919 ft · 39 sec
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34
Merge slight right onto Central Freeway
1462 ft · 25 sec · Central Freeway
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35
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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36
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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37
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clay and San Francisco.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Victory Highway
Continue on Victory Highway
16.4 mi · 00h 22m
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 Clay 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 Clay to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 98.5 miles (158.6 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?
Oakley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.2 miles from Clay and 49.3 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.7 miles (126.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.8 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 2:30 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.79 one way or $43.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clay and Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Oakley
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 Oakley.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clay and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 78.75 mi (126.74 km).
#1 Clay
Situated in southeastern Sacramento County at an elevation of approximately 105 feet, this census-designated place lies in the transition zone between the flat Central Valley and the rising Sierra Nevada foothills.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.3360200, -121.1593900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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: 159 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $21.79 | $43.58 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $22.62 | $45.23 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $23.28 | $46.56 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $29.28 | $58.55 |
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