How far is Palo Cedro, CA from San Francisco, CA?

The driving distance from Palo Cedro, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 214.8 miles (345.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 192.9 miles (310.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
214.8 mi
03h 39m
Flight
192.93 mi
310.49 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Palo Cedro.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
192.93 mi
Kilometers
310.49 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
214.8 mi
Kilometers
345.68 km
Drive Time
03h 39m

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 03h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Francisco
Thu, Apr 23, 4:44 AM PDT
Return by in Palo Cedro
Thu, Apr 23, 8:23 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Palo Cedro
2026-04-23T01:05
Arrive San Francisco
Thu, Apr 23, 4:44 AM PDT
Route Timing
03h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:42 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Palo Cedro
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Arbuckle
CA

Census-designated place in Colusa County, California

From Palo Cedro
107.2 mi
01h 49m
To San Francisco
107.5 mi
01h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
70°F
Thursday

Patchy Fog then Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 9 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Palo Cedro and San Francisco.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palo Cedro and San Francisco.

  1. 1

    Start on Old 44 Drive

    19 m · 4 sec · Old 44 Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Deschutes Road

    10.2 mi · 18 min · Deschutes Road

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Deschutes Road

    29 m · 4 sec · Deschutes Road

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Deschutes Road

    1115 ft · 26 sec · Deschutes Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1.3 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Cascade Wonderland Highway

    20.2 mi · 22 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Westside Freeway

    93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Westside Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 505 South: Winters, San Francisco

    33.2 mi · 36 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: San Francisco

    2201 ft · 54 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    27.6 mi · 32 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Carquinez Bridge

    1.6 km · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge

  12. 12

    Continue on Eastshore Freeway

    1847 ft · 24 sec · Eastshore Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue on Linus F. Claeys Freeway

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway

  14. 14

    Continue on Eastshore Freeway

    14 mi · 16 min · Eastshore Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight left toward San Francisco

    1.3 km · 1 min · Eastshore Freeway

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1941 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  17. 17

    Turn slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1959 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Route 80

    1438 ft · 24 sec · Route 80

  20. 20

    Continue on Route 80

    1.2 km · 1 min · Route 80

  21. 21

    Continue on Route 80

    1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge

    1919 ft · 39 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight right onto Central Freeway

    1462 ft · 25 sec · Central Freeway

  24. 24

    Continue on Octavia Boulevard

    2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Market Street

    629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street

  26. 26

    Keep slight right to continue on Market Street

    961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Market Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Palo Cedro and San Francisco.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Westside Freeway
93 mi · 43%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
33.9 mi · 16%
I 505 South
33.2 mi · 15%
Cascade Wonderland Highway
20.2 mi · 9%
Eastshore Freeway
15.2 mi · 7%
Deschutes Road
10.4 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Westside Freeway

Continue on Westside Freeway

93 mi · 01h 40m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.9 mi
192.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Arbuckle
01h 49m from Palo Cedro
Leave By
9:42 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Palo Cedro and Patchy Fog then Sunny near San Francisco.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Palo Cedro to San Francisco?

The road trip is about 214.8 miles (345.7 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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?

Arbuckle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.2 miles from Palo Cedro and 107.5 miles from San Francisco.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 192.9 miles (310.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.9 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 9:42 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.73 one way or $87.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Palo Cedro and Patchy Fog then Sunny near San Francisco.

Stop Ideas Near Arbuckle

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Arbuckle and the surrounding midpoint area.
Jack in the Box
Coffee break 14.7 mi away

Jack in the Box

Dunnigan , CA
3970 County Rd 89, Dunnigan, CA 95937, United States
Rating 3.4/5 618 reviews Fast food restaurant,Breakfast restaurant,Chicken restaurant,Hamburger restaurant
Northview Park
Scenic stop 7 mi away

Northview Park

Williams , CA
180 Virginia St, Williams, CA 95987, United States
Rating 4.5/5 115 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Sinclair
Practical stop 4.5 mi away

Sinclair

Arbuckle , CA
690 Hillgate Rd, Arbuckle, CA 95912, United States
Rating 3.6/5 42 reviews Gas station,Car repair and maintenance,Convenience store,Grocery store,Truck stop
City of Colusa
Meeting point 10.5 mi away

City of Colusa

Colusa , CA
425 Webster St, Colusa, CA 95932, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Arbuckle.

BUS

Marysville, California

42 mi away
I Street between 8th and 9th
RAIL

Davis station

60 mi away
840 Second Street
RAIL

Sacramento Valley Station

68 mi away
401 I Street
BUS

Sacramento (State Capitol), California

69 mi away
1389 10th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Palo Cedro and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 192.93 mi (310.49 km).

Palo Cedro

#1 Palo Cedro

Census-designated place in Shasta County, California

Population1,269
Coordinates40.5637600, -122.2388900
Altitude143
CountryUnited States
San Francisco

#2 San Francisco

The seventeenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Population866,606
Coordinates37.7749300, -122.4194200
Altitude16
CountryUnited States
Start: Old 44 Drive (-122.23889, 40.563785)
End: Market Street (-122.419433, 37.774953)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 346 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.58 gal
28.69 L · about $43.73
Round trip
$87.46
15.16 gal · 57.38 L
Estimated CO2
67.4 kg one way
Round trip: 134.7 kg / 297 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $43.73 $87.46
Mid-grade $6.07 $45.98 $91.96
Premium $6.24 $47.32 $94.64
Diesel $7.57 $57.36 $114.72

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

There is no time difference between Palo Cedro and San Francisco. The current time is 01:05:04.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.