How far is San Francisco, CA from Cottonwood, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Cottonwood, CA is about 76.9 miles (123.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 65.7 miles (105.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 16m 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 38m.
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.
City in Napa Valley, 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 Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Cottonwood.
-
1
Start on Market Street
95 m · 8 sec · Market Street
-
2
Turn right onto 11th Street
3173 ft · 2 min · 11th Street
-
3
Turn left onto Bryant Street
1724 ft · 1 min · Bryant Street
-
4
Take the ramp left toward I 80 East: Oakland
1538 ft · 26 sec
-
5
Merge slight right onto Route 80
1.5 km · 1 min · Route 80
-
6
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
7
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 East
2949 ft · 45 sec
-
8
Merge slight right onto Nimitz Freeway
124 m · 6 sec · Nimitz Freeway
-
9
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Eastshore Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Eastshore Freeway
-
11
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
-
12
Continue on Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway
-
13
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
1718 ft · 27 sec · Eastshore Freeway
-
14
Continue on Carquinez Bridge
1.6 km · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge
-
15
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13.1 mi · 15 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
803 ft · 20 sec
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 505 North: Winters, Redding
1 km · 1 min
-
19
Continue straight
16.6 mi · 18 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward CR 17
1380 ft · 42 sec
-
21
Turn left onto County Road 27
1 mi · 3 min · County Road 27
-
22
Turn right onto County Road 89
2.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 89
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 89
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Cottonwood.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 505 North
Continue straight
16.6 mi · 00h 18m
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 Chance Light Rain near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 76.9 miles (123.7 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?
American Canyon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.5 miles from San Francisco and 38.4 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 65.7 miles (105.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 3:14 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.63 one way or $31.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Francisco and Chance Light Rain near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near American Canyon
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 American Canyon.
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Martinez station
Suisun–Fairfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 65.7 mi (105.74 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 Cottonwood
Ghost town in Yolo County, California
| Population | 3,850 |
| Coordinates | 38.6582400, -121.9710800 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-121.97108, 38.65824)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 124 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $15.63 | $31.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $16.44 | $32.88 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $16.92 | $33.84 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $20.51 | $41.01 |
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.