How far is Kernville, CA from San Francisco, CA?
Fastest route
The distance between Kernville, California and San Francisco, California is approximately 335 miles (539 kilometers). The fastest route, considering traffic conditions, is via I-5 N. The estimated travel time is 5 hours and 38 minutes.
Directions
To reach San Francisco from Kernville, follow these directions:
- Start on Kernville Rd and head southwest toward Burlando Rd.
- Continue onto Burlando Rd, then onto Wofford Blvd, and finally onto CA-155 E/Wofford Heights Blvd.
- Turn right to merge onto CA-178 W/E 178 Fwy, passing by Taco Bell on the left.
- Continue straight onto 24th St, then use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Oak St.
- Turn right onto Truxtun Ave, and use the right 2 lanes to take the Westside Pkwy ramp.
- Follow I-5 N and I-580 W until you reach Market St in San Francisco.
- Take exit 434B from US-101 N/Central Fwy.
- Finally, turn right onto Market St in San Francisco, California.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan for enough driving breaks along the way to stretch and rest.
- ⛽ Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey. Consider filling up before leaving Kernville.
- 🍽️ Pack snacks and drinks for the trip to stay refreshed and energized.
- 🛣️ Stay updated on traffic conditions and consider using a GPS or navigation app for real-time guidance.
- 💰 Keep some cash or a credit card handy for any tolls on the route.
- 📞 Share your travel plans with a friend or family member for safety and let them know your estimated arrival time.
- 🌆 Enjoy the scenic views along the way, especially as you approach San Francisco.
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 41m.
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.
The most populous city in Madera 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 Kernville and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kernville and San Francisco.
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1
Start on Big Blue Road
12 m · 3 sec · Big Blue Road
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2
Turn right onto Kernville Road
93 m · 6 sec · Kernville Road
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3
Continue on Burlando Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Burlando Road
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4
Continue on Wofford Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · Wofford Boulevard
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5
Turn right onto Evans Road
20.3 mi · 30 min · Evans Road
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6
Turn slight left onto Bakersfield-Glennville Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Bakersfield-Glennville Road
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Bakersfield-Glennville Road
8 mi · 12 min · Bakersfield-Glennville Road
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8
Continue on Garces Highway
24.9 mi · 37 min · Garces Highway
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Garces Highway
44 m · 3 sec · Garces Highway
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10
Exit the roundabout onto Garces Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Garces Highway
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11
Turn right onto Fremont Street
2110 ft · 39 sec · Fremont Street
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12
Take the ramp left
761 ft · 19 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Golden State Highway
87.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Golden State Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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15
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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16
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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17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
1.5 km · 2 min
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18
Merge slight right
6.8 mi · 8 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Westside Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
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21
Continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
11.6 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · MacArthur Freeway
-
25
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: San Francisco
1.5 km · 1 min
-
26
Merge slight right onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1015 ft · 17 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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27
Turn slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1959 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
28
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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29
Continue on Route 80
1438 ft · 24 sec · Route 80
-
30
Continue on Route 80
1.2 km · 1 min · Route 80
-
31
Continue on Route 80
1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80
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32
Keep slight right to continue on US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
1919 ft · 39 sec
-
33
Merge slight right onto Central Freeway
1462 ft · 25 sec · Central Freeway
-
34
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
-
35
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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36
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kernville and San Francisco.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Golden State Highway
Merge slight left onto Golden State Highway
87.7 mi · 01h 35m
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.
Sunny leaving Kernville 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 Kernville to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 336.1 miles (540.9 km) and usually takes 05h 41m 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?
Madera is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.6 miles from Kernville and 174.5 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 261.4 miles (420.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 74.7 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 5:38 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $68.42 one way or $136.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 105.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kernville and Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Madera
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 Madera.
Madera
Fresno station
Merced station
Mariposa, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kernville and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 261.42 mi (420.71 km).
#1 Kernville
Census-designated place in the southern Sierra Nevada, in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 1,395 |
| Coordinates | 35.7546700, -118.4253600 |
| Altitude | 813 |
| 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: 541 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $68.42 | $136.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $71.94 | $143.89 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $74.04 | $148.08 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $89.74 | $179.49 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.