How far is Isla Vista, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Isla Vista, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 329.3 miles (530 km), with a travel time of about 05h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272.7 miles (438.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 58m 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 05h 29m.
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, named after its founder, Charles King
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Isla Vista and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Isla Vista and San Francisco.
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1
Start on the route
28 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left
79 m · 25 sec
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3
Turn left onto Abrego Road
565 ft · 29 sec · Abrego Road
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4
Turn right onto Camino del Sur
1145 ft · 54 sec · Camino del Sur
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5
Turn left onto El Colegio Road
1966 ft · 53 sec · El Colegio Road
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6
Keep slight right to continue on El Colegio Road
88 m · 8 sec · El Colegio Road
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7
Turn straight onto Storke Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Storke Road
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8
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North
1330 ft · 32 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
83 mi · 1 hr 36 min · El Camino Real
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10
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
11.9 mi · 14 min · Cabrillo Highway
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11
Continue on El Camino Real
146.6 mi · 2 hr 49 min · El Camino Real
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12
Continue on South Valley Freeway
26.3 mi · 30 min · South Valley Freeway
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13
Keep slight left
21.9 mi · 25 min
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14
Keep slight left
35.8 mi · 43 min
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15
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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16
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Isla Vista and San Francisco.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
El Camino Real
Continue on El Camino Real
147 mi · 02h 49m
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 Isla Vista 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 Isla Vista to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 329.3 miles (530 km) and usually takes 05h 29m 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?
King City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 164.4 miles from Isla Vista and 165 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272.7 miles (438.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:02 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $67.04 one way or $134.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 103.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Isla Vista and Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near King 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 King City.
King City, California
Salinas station
Paso Robles station
Carmel, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Isla Vista and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 272.64 mi (438.77 km).
#1 Isla Vista
California
| Population | 23,096 |
| Coordinates | 34.4133300, -119.8609700 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| 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: 530 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $67.04 | $134.07 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $70.49 | $140.97 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $72.54 | $145.09 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $87.93 | $175.86 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.