How far is San Francisco, CA from Buena Vista, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Buena Vista, CA is about 49.3 miles (79.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m 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 02m.
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.
A city in San Mateo County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Buena Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Buena Vista.
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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 left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Bayshore Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
2145 ft · 53 sec
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10
Continue on Guadalupe Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Guadalupe Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward CA 82
1042 ft · 29 sec
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12
Turn right onto Park Avenue
23 m · 8 sec · Park Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Delmas Avenue
531 ft · 13 sec · Delmas Avenue
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14
Turn right onto West San Carlos Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West San Carlos Street
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15
Turn left onto Meridian Avenue
709 ft · 21 sec · Meridian Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Douglas Street
834 ft · 39 sec · Douglas Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Douglas Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Buena Vista.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
Sunny leaving San Francisco and Sunny near Buena Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Buena Vista?
The road trip is about 49.3 miles (79.3 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?
Redwood City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.6 miles from San Francisco and 24.7 miles from Buena Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 4:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.89 one way or $21.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Francisco and Sunny near Buena Vista.
Stop Ideas Near Redwood 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 Redwood City.
Fremont station
Hayward station
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Santa Clara – Great America station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Buena Vista. Straight-line distance: 41.73 mi (67.15 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 Buena Vista
Located in the Santa Clara Valley at an elevation of 121 feet, this unincorporated community is surrounded by the city of San Jose.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.3213300, -121.9166200 |
| Altitude | 37 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buena Vista (-121.91662, 37.32133)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 79 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $10.89 | $21.79 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $11.31 | $22.62 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $11.64 | $23.28 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $14.64 | $29.28 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026