How far is San Francisco, CA from Aptos, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Aptos, CA is about 78.5 miles (126.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 62.1 miles (99.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 19m 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 01h 39m.
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 sixth most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Slight Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Aptos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Aptos.
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1
Start on Market Street
95 m · 8 sec · Market Street
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2
Turn right onto 11th Street
3173 ft · 2 min · 11th Street
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3
Turn left onto Bryant Street
143 m · 18 sec · Bryant Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1719 ft · 29 sec
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5
Merge slight right onto James Lick Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
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6
Continue on Bayshore Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Bayshore Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
25 mi · 29 min · Bayshore Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 South: Cupertino, Santa Cruz
13.3 mi · 15 min
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9
Take the exit right toward CA 17: San Jose, Santa Cruz
771 ft · 15 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on CA 17 South: Santa Cruz
1746 ft · 35 sec
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11
Merge slight left
21.5 mi · 29 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Watsonville, Monterey
1724 ft · 22 sec
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13
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
2243 ft · 55 sec · Cabrillo Highway
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14
Merge slight right onto Cabrillo Highway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Cabrillo Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward State Park Beach
1594 ft · 48 sec
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16
Turn left onto State Park Drive
1505 ft · 32 sec · State Park Drive
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17
Turn right onto Soquel Drive
3181 ft · 1 min · Soquel Drive
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18
Turn left onto Trout Gulch Road
51 m · 5 sec · Trout Gulch Road
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19
Turn right
42 m · 10 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Aptos.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
25 mi · 00h 29m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving San Francisco and Slight Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny near Aptos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Aptos?
The road trip is about 78.5 miles (126.4 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?
Sunnyvale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.3 miles from San Francisco and 39.3 miles from Aptos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 62.1 miles (99.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 3:10 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.98 one way or $31.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Francisco and Slight Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny near Aptos.
Stop Ideas Near Sunnyvale
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 Sunnyvale.
Santa Clara – Great America station
Santa Clara station
San Jose Diridon station
Fremont station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Aptos. Straight-line distance: 62.07 mi (99.9 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Aptos
Town in California
| Population | 6,220 |
| Coordinates | 36.9771700, -121.8994000 |
| Altitude | 33 |
| Country | United States |
End: Aptos (-121.8994, 36.97717)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $15.98 | $31.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $16.80 | $33.61 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $17.29 | $34.59 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $20.96 | $41.92 |
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.