How far is Merced, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Merced, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111 miles (178.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 43m 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 21m.
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.
The most populous city in San Joaquin County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merced and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merced and San Francisco.
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1
Start on Canal Street
86 m · 14 sec · Canal Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street
145 m · 20 sec · West Main Street
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3
Turn left onto M Street
122 m · 15 sec · M Street
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4
Turn right onto West 16th Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · West 16th Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 99 North
2377 ft · 57 sec
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6
Merge slight left
50.8 mi · 1 hr
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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
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9
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Westside Freeway
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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
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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
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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
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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 Merced and San Francisco.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
CA 99 North
Merge slight left
50.8 mi · 01h 00m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Merced and Chance Light Rain near San Francisco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merced to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?
Tracy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.3 miles from Merced and 64.5 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111 miles (178.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:46 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.42 one way or $52.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Merced and Chance Light Rain near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Tracy
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 Tracy.
Tracy, California
Tracy, CA
Manteca, CA
Stockton – San Joaquin Street
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merced and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 111 mi (178.64 km).
#1 Merced
The most populous city in Merced County, California.
| Population | 88,235 |
| Coordinates | 37.3021600, -120.4829700 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| 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: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $26.42 | $52.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $27.78 | $55.56 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $28.59 | $57.19 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $34.66 | $69.31 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.