How far is San Francisco, CA from Chico, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Chico, CA is about 162.4 miles (261.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.6 miles (223 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 28m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 most populous city in Yolo County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Chico.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Chico.
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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
1724 ft · 1 min · Bryant Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 80 East: Oakland
1538 ft · 26 sec
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5
Merge slight right onto Route 80
1.5 km · 1 min · Route 80
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6
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 East
2949 ft · 45 sec
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8
Merge slight right onto Nimitz Freeway
124 m · 6 sec · Nimitz Freeway
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9
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Eastshore Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Eastshore Freeway
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11
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
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12
Continue on Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway
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13
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
1718 ft · 27 sec · Eastshore Freeway
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14
Continue on Carquinez Bridge
1.6 km · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge
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15
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Vic Fazio Highway
11.1 mi · 13 min · Vic Fazio Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Main Street
2452 ft · 1 min
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19
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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20
Turn left onto County Road 102
69 m · 10 sec · County Road 102
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21
Continue on County Road 102
7.9 mi · 11 min · County Road 102
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22
Continue straight
17.4 mi · 23 min
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23
Take the ramp right toward CA 99 North: Yuba City
990 ft · 27 sec
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24
Merge slight left
51.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Skyway
1395 ft · 26 sec
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26
Turn left onto Skyway Road
1849 ft · 41 sec · Skyway Road
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27
Continue on East Park Avenue
2365 ft · 49 sec · East Park Avenue
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28
Turn slight right
46 m · 7 sec
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29
Turn straight onto Park Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Park Avenue
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30
Continue on Main Street
1687 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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31
Turn right onto East 5th Street
50 m · 7 sec · East 5th Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Chico.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
CA 99 North
Merge slight left
51.6 mi · 01h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving San Francisco and Chance Light Rain near Chico.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Chico?
The road trip is about 162.4 miles (261.3 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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?
Woodland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.2 miles from San Francisco and 81.2 miles from Chico.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.6 miles (223 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.8 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 10:02 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.06 one way or $66.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Francisco and Chance Light Rain near Chico.
Stop Ideas Near Woodland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Sacramento
City of West Sacramento City Hall
Esparto Ace Hardware
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Woodland.
Davis station
Sacramento Valley Station
Sacramento (State Capitol), California
Elk Grove, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Chico. Straight-line distance: 138.57 mi (223.01 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 Chico
The most populous city in Butte County, California.
| Population | 102,867 |
| Coordinates | 39.7284900, -121.8374800 |
| Altitude | 60 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chico (-121.83748, 39.72849)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $33.06 | $66.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $34.76 | $69.52 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $35.77 | $71.54 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $43.36 | $86.72 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.