How far is Madera, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Madera, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 169.6 miles (273 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.2 miles (227.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
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 Madera and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madera and San Francisco.
-
1
Start on North Gateway Drive
801 ft · 18 sec · North Gateway Drive
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2
Turn left onto West 4th Street
805 ft · 26 sec · West 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto North H Street
848 ft · 17 sec · North H Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight left
940 ft · 23 sec
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5
Merge slight left
11.2 mi · 13 min
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6
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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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
1.5 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight right
6.8 mi · 8 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Westside Freeway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
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11
Continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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12
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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13
Keep slight right to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · MacArthur Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: San Francisco
1.5 km · 1 min
-
16
Merge slight right onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1015 ft · 17 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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17
Turn slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1959 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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19
Continue on Route 80
1438 ft · 24 sec · Route 80
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20
Continue on Route 80
1.2 km · 1 min · Route 80
-
21
Continue on Route 80
1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80
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22
Keep slight right to continue on US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
1919 ft · 39 sec
-
23
Merge slight right onto Central Freeway
1462 ft · 25 sec · Central Freeway
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24
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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25
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madera 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.
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 comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Madera 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 Madera to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 169.6 miles (273 km) and usually takes 02h 49m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ripon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82 miles from Madera and 87.6 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.2 miles (227.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.56 one way or $69.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madera and Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Ripon
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 Ripon.
Manteca, CA
Modesto station
Stockton – San Joaquin Street
Robert J. Cabral Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madera and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 141.19 mi (227.22 km).
#1 Madera
The most populous city in Madera County, California.
| Population | 66,723 |
| Coordinates | 36.9613400, -120.0607200 |
| Altitude | 83 |
| 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: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $34.56 | $69.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $36.34 | $72.67 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $37.40 | $74.79 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $45.33 | $90.65 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.