How far is Ferndale, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Ferndale, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 261.5 miles (420.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217.3 miles (349.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 12m 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 36m.
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, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ferndale and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ferndale and San Francisco.
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1
Start on Main Street
4.8 mi · 10 min · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Fernbridge Drive
1 km · 60 sec · Fernbridge Drive
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3
Take the ramp straight
971 ft · 24 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
116.7 mi · 2 hr 24 min · Redwood Highway
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5
Continue on Willits Bypass
5.4 mi · 6 min · Willits Bypass
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6
Continue on Redwood Highway
116.2 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Redwood Highway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Redwood Highway
10.3 mi · 14 min · Redwood Highway
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8
Continue on Golden Gate Bridge
1.7 mi · 3 min · Golden Gate Bridge
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9
Merge slight left
10 m · 1 sec
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10
Keep slight left
40 m · 2 sec
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11
Keep slight left
666 ft · 8 sec
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12
Continue on Presidio Parkway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Presidio Parkway
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13
Continue on Richardson Avenue
1257 ft · 44 sec · Richardson Avenue
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14
Continue on Lombard Street
601 ft · 26 sec · Lombard Street
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15
Turn right onto Divisadero Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Divisadero Street
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16
Turn left onto California Street
2416 ft · 1 min · California Street
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17
Turn right onto Webster Street
1 mi · 2 min · Webster Street
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18
Turn left onto Oak Street
1926 ft · 1 min · Oak Street
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19
Turn right onto Gough Street
655 ft · 25 sec · Gough Street
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20
Turn slight left onto Market Street
56 m · 16 sec · Market Street
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ferndale 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.
Redwood Highway
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
117 mi · 02h 24m
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.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny leaving Ferndale 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 Ferndale to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 261.5 miles (420.8 km) and usually takes 04h 36m 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?
Willits is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.6 miles from Ferndale and 130.9 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217.3 miles (349.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.2 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 7:48 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.19 one way or $106.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny around Ferndale and Mostly Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Willits
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 Willits.
Willits, California
Laytonville, California
Ukiah, California
Leggett, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ferndale and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 217.29 mi (349.7 km).
#1 Ferndale
Town in Humboldt County, California, United States
| Population | 1,362 |
| Coordinates | 40.5762400, -124.2639400 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| 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: 421 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $53.19 | $106.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $55.93 | $111.86 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $57.56 | $115.12 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $69.77 | $139.54 |
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 · May 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.