How far is Irvine, CA from San Rafael, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to San Rafael, CA is about 435.6 miles (701.1 km), with a travel time of about 08h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 397.4 miles (639.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 08h 06m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Census-designated place in Kings 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 Irvine and San Rafael.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and San Rafael.
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1
Start on San Diego Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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2
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
1456 ft · 21 sec
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3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
951 ft · 22 sec · Jeffrey Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 North: Los Angeles
1228 ft · 18 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: Freeway
1254 ft · 16 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on CA 55 North
2685 ft · 35 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
2136 ft · 28 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
1.1 km · 47 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2756 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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18
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
225.6 mi · 4 hr 2 min · Westside Freeway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
15.9 mi · 17 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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23
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
11.6 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
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26
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
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27
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
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28
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
12.9 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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29
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Rafeal
1.1 km · 54 sec
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30
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
2148 ft · 33 sec · Redwood Highway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward Central San Rafael
1526 ft · 39 sec
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32
Continue on Irwin Street
654 ft · 21 sec · Irwin Street
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33
Turn left onto Fourth Street
3034 ft · 1 min · Fourth Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fourth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine and San Rafael.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
226 mi · 04h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Irvine and Mostly Sunny near San Rafael.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irvine to San Rafael?
The road trip is about 435.6 miles (701.1 km) and usually takes 08h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kettleman City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 217.9 miles from Irvine and 217.8 miles from San Rafael.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 397.4 miles (639.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.2 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $88.67 one way or $177.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 136.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Irvine and Mostly Sunny near San Rafael.
Stop Ideas Near Kettleman 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 Kettleman City.
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Corcoran station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and San Rafael. Straight-line distance: 397.38 mi (639.52 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Rafael
The most populous city in Marin County, California.
| Population | 58,528 |
| Coordinates | 37.9735300, -122.5310900 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Rafael (-122.53109, 37.97353)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 701 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $88.67 | $177.34 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $93.23 | $186.47 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $95.95 | $191.91 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $116.30 | $232.61 |
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.