How far is Red Bluff, CA from San Francisco, CA?

The driving distance from Red Bluff, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 186.5 miles (300.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 166.3 miles (267.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
186.51 mi
02h 58m
Flight
166.36 mi
267.73 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Red Bluff.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
166.36 mi
Kilometers
267.73 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
186.51 mi
Kilometers
300.16 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Francisco
Wed, Apr 22, 8:38 PM PDT
Return by in Red Bluff
Wed, Apr 22, 11:37 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Red Bluff
2026-04-22T17:40
Arrive San Francisco
Wed, Apr 22, 8:38 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:32 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Red Bluff
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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 Red Bluff
93.1 mi
01h 29m
To San Francisco
93.4 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph SSE
Destination
65°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Red Bluff and San Francisco.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Red Bluff and San Francisco.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    839 ft · 30 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Antelope Boulevard

    2108 ft · 51 sec · Antelope Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    1701 ft · 42 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Cascade Wonderland Highway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Cascade Wonderland Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Westside Freeway

    93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Westside Freeway

  6. 6

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

    33.2 mi · 36 min

  7. 7

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

    2201 ft · 54 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    27.6 mi · 32 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Carquinez Bridge

    1.6 km · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge

  10. 10

    Continue on Eastshore Freeway

    1847 ft · 24 sec · Eastshore Freeway

  11. 11

    Continue on Linus F. Claeys Freeway

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on Eastshore Freeway

    14 mi · 16 min · Eastshore Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left toward San Francisco

    1.3 km · 1 min · Eastshore Freeway

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1941 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  15. 15

    Turn slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1959 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Route 80

    1438 ft · 24 sec · Route 80

  18. 18

    Continue on Route 80

    1.2 km · 1 min · Route 80

  19. 19

    Continue on Route 80

    1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80

  20. 20

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

    1919 ft · 39 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight right onto Central Freeway

    1462 ft · 25 sec · Central Freeway

  22. 22

    Continue on Octavia Boulevard

    2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Market Street

    629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on Market Street

    961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Market Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Red Bluff 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
25 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Westside Freeway
93 mi · 50%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
33.9 mi · 18%
I 505 South
33.2 mi · 18%
Eastshore Freeway
15.2 mi · 8%
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.42 mi · 2%
Cascade Wonderland Highway
2.35 mi · 1%
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 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.

Drive Time
02h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.2 mi
166.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Arbuckle
01h 29m from Red Bluff
Leave By
12:32 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Red Bluff 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 Red Bluff to San Francisco?

The road trip is about 186.5 miles (300.2 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Arbuckle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.1 miles from Red Bluff and 93.4 miles from San Francisco.

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

The direct path is about 166.3 miles (267.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 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 12:32 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.96 one way or $75.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Red Bluff and Chance Light Rain 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.
Denny's
Coffee break 2.4 mi away

Denny's

Dunnigan , CA
30003 County Road 8, Dunnigan, CA 95937, United States
Rating 3.8/5 651 reviews Diner,American restaurant,Breakfast restaurant
Cache Creek Casino Resort
Stay option 13.9 mi away

Cache Creek Casino Resort

Brooks , CA
14455 CA-16, Brooks, CA 95606, United States
Rating 4.1/5 8,916 reviews Tourist attraction,Hotel,Resort hotel,Casino
Pilot Travel Center
Practical stop 2.4 mi away

Pilot Travel Center

Dunnigan , CA
30035 County Road 8, Dunnigan, CA 95937, United States
Rating 4.2/5 2,934 reviews Truck stop,Convenience store,Gas station
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13.7 mi away

Esparto Regional Chamber of Commerce

Esparto , CA
16858 Yolo Ave, Esparto, CA 95627, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Chamber of Commerce

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 Red Bluff and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 166.36 mi (267.73 km).

Red Bluff

#1 Red Bluff

County seat of Tehama County, California, United States

Population14,121
Coordinates40.1784900, -122.2358300
Altitude93
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: Main Street (-122.235794, 40.178508)
End: Market Street (-122.419433, 37.774953)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 300 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.58 gal
24.91 L · about $37.96
Round trip
$75.92
13.16 gal · 49.82 L
Estimated CO2
58.5 kg one way
Round trip: 117 kg / 258 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $37.96 $75.92
Mid-grade $6.07 $39.91 $79.83
Premium $6.24 $41.08 $82.16
Diesel $7.57 $49.79 $99.58

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 Red Bluff and San Francisco. The current time is 17:40:05.

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.