How far is San Francisco, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Hayward, CA is about 26.4 miles (42.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.9 miles (32 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 37m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Hayward.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Hayward.
-
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
5.8 mi · 9 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton
1.6 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto MacArthur Freeway
14.9 mi · 17 min · MacArthur Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 238 South, I 238 North: Hayward, San Jose, San Mateo Bridge
1376 ft · 34 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on CA 238 South: Hayward
2038 ft · 50 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on CA 238: Hayward, Mattox Road
127 m · 10 sec
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12
Continue on Hayward, Mattox Road
1.2 mi · 3 min
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto A Street
1167 ft · 35 sec · A Street
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14
Turn left onto Mission Boulevard
1998 ft · 51 sec · Mission Boulevard
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mission Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Hayward.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
MacArthur Freeway
Merge slight left onto MacArthur Freeway
14.9 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving San Francisco and Sunny near Hayward.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Hayward?
The road trip is about 26.4 miles (42.5 km) and usually takes 00h 37m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Piedmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.2 miles from San Francisco and 13.2 miles from Hayward.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.9 miles (32 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.37 one way or $10.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around San Francisco and Sunny near Hayward.
Stop Ideas Near Piedmont
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
Alameda Public Works Department
Old Berkeley City Hall
My City Hall Wedding
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Piedmont.
Emeryville station
Oakland – Jack London Square station
Berkeley station
Oakland Coliseum station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Hayward. Straight-line distance: 19.9 mi (32.03 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 Hayward
The seventh most populous city in Alameda County, California.
| Population | 157,966 |
| Coordinates | 37.6688200, -122.0808000 |
| Altitude | 34 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hayward (-122.0808, 37.66882)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $5.37 | $10.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $5.64 | $11.28 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $5.81 | $11.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $7.04 | $14.07 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.