How far is Fresno, CA from South San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Fresno, CA to South San Francisco, CA is about 187.7 miles (302 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158 miles (254.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 28m 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 03h 44m.
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 Modesto, California, United States of America
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 Fresno and South San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fresno and South San Francisco.
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1
Start on East Washington Avenue
9 m · 3 sec · East Washington Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North First Street
968 ft · 23 sec · North First Street
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3
Turn left onto East Belmont Avenue
2.9 mi · 6 min · East Belmont Avenue
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4
Take the ramp right toward CA 99 North
965 ft · 23 sec
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5
Merge slight left
9.4 mi · 11 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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7
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
74.7 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
1.5 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight right
6.8 mi · 8 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Westside Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
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13
Continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Redwood Road
1149 ft · 30 sec
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16
Turn left onto Redwood Road
3104 ft · 1 min · Redwood Road
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17
Continue on A Street
1.5 km · 2 min · A Street
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18
Turn left onto Mission Boulevard
1735 ft · 44 sec · Mission Boulevard
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19
Turn slight right onto Jackson Street
5.5 mi · 8 min · Jackson Street
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20
Keep slight left
528 ft · 7 sec
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21
Keep slight right
9.1 mi · 11 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Francisco
2562 ft · 41 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
9.1 mi · 10 min · Bayshore Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward South Airport Boulevard
1218 ft · 32 sec
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25
Turn left onto South Airport Boulevard
1061 ft · 28 sec · South Airport Boulevard
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26
Turn left onto South Airport Boulevard
868 ft · 24 sec · South Airport Boulevard
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27
Continue on Airport Boulevard
1910 ft · 44 sec · Airport Boulevard
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Airport Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fresno and South 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.
Northbound California State Route 99
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
74.7 mi · 01h 27m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Fresno and Mostly Sunny near South San Francisco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fresno to South San Francisco?
The road trip is about 187.7 miles (302 km) and usually takes 03h 44m 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?
Shackelford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.8 miles from Fresno and 93.9 miles from South San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158 miles (254.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 9:32 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.19 one way or $76.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fresno and Mostly Sunny near South San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Shackelford
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 Shackelford.
Modesto station
Denair station
Manteca, CA
Tracy, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fresno and South San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 157.98 mi (254.25 km).
#1 Fresno
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Fresno metropolitan area.
| Population | 530,267 |
| Coordinates | 36.7477300, -119.7723700 |
| Altitude | 94 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South San Francisco
The most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 66,558 |
| Coordinates | 37.6546600, -122.4077500 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: South San Francisco (-122.40775, 37.65466)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 302 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $38.19 | $76.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $40.16 | $80.31 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $41.33 | $82.66 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $50.09 | $100.19 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.