How far is San Bernardino, CA from San Rafael, CA?
The driving distance from San Bernardino, CA to San Rafael, CA is about 444.5 miles (715.3 km), with a travel time of about 08h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 396.2 miles (637.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
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 08h 18m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Census-designated place in Kings County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Bernardino and San Rafael.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Bernardino and San Rafael.
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1
Start on West 5th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West 5th Street
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2
Take the ramp right toward I 215 North: Barstow
1769 ft · 45 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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4
Continue on Barstow Freeway
2632 ft · 35 sec · Barstow Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
1 mi · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
21.4 mi · 25 min · Foothill Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
20 mi · 23 min · Foothill Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
25.6 mi · 30 min · Foothill Freeway
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13
Keep slight right
686 ft · 9 sec
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14
Merge slight right
1.6 km · 1 min
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15
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
225.6 mi · 4 hr 2 min · Westside Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
15.9 mi · 17 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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20
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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21
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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22
Keep slight right to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
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24
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
12.9 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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26
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Rafeal
1.1 km · 54 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
2148 ft · 33 sec · Redwood Highway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward Central San Rafael
1526 ft · 39 sec
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29
Continue on Irwin Street
654 ft · 21 sec · Irwin Street
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30
Turn left onto Fourth Street
3034 ft · 1 min · Fourth Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fourth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Bernardino and San Rafael.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
226 mi · 04h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving San Bernardino and Mostly Sunny near San Rafael.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Bernardino to San Rafael?
The road trip is about 444.5 miles (715.3 km) and usually takes 08h 18m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kettleman City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 222.2 miles from San Bernardino and 222.3 miles from San Rafael.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 396.2 miles (637.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.3 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $90.46 one way or $180.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 139.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Bernardino and Mostly Sunny near San Rafael.
Stop Ideas Near Kettleman City
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 Kettleman City.
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Corcoran station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Bernardino and San Rafael. Straight-line distance: 396.19 mi (637.6 km).
#1 San Bernardino
The second most populous city in San Bernardino County, California.
| Population | 217,491 |
| Coordinates | 34.1083400, -117.2897700 |
| Altitude | 321 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Rafael
The most populous city in Marin County, California.
| Population | 58,528 |
| Coordinates | 37.9735300, -122.5310900 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Rafael (-122.53109, 37.97353)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 715 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $90.46 | $180.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $95.11 | $190.23 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $97.89 | $195.78 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $118.65 | $237.30 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.