How far is San Francisco, CA from Isla Vista, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Isla Vista, CA is about 328 miles (527.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272.7 miles (438.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 24m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 California, named after its founder, Charles King
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Isla Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Isla Vista.
-
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
48.8 mi · 56 min · Bayshore Freeway
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9
Continue on El Camino Real
10 mi · 11 min · El Camino Real
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10
Take the exit slight right
1.2 km · 50 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
135.9 mi · 2 hr 37 min · El Camino Real
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12
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
11.8 mi · 14 min · Cabrillo Highway
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13
Continue on El Camino Real
82.9 mi · 1 hr 36 min · El Camino Real
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Glenn Annie Road, Storke Road
1486 ft · 41 sec
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15
Turn right onto Storke Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Storke Road
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16
Turn left onto El Colegio Road
2220 ft · 58 sec · El Colegio Road
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17
Turn right onto Camino del Sur
1145 ft · 60 sec · Camino del Sur
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18
Turn left onto Abrego Road
565 ft · 27 sec · Abrego Road
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19
Turn right
79 m · 21 sec
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20
Turn right
28 m · 7 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Isla Vista.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
El Camino Real
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
136 mi · 02h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving San Francisco and Mostly Sunny near Isla Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Isla Vista?
The road trip is about 328 miles (527.9 km) and usually takes 06h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
King City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 164 miles from San Francisco and 164 miles from Isla Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272.7 miles (438.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.3 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $66.75 one way or $133.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Francisco and Mostly Sunny near Isla Vista.
Stop Ideas Near King 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 King City.
King City, California
Salinas station
Paso Robles station
Carmel, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Isla Vista. Straight-line distance: 272.64 mi (438.77 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 Isla Vista
California
| Population | 23,096 |
| Coordinates | 34.4133300, -119.8609700 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
End: Isla Vista (-119.86097, 34.41333)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 528 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $66.75 | $133.49 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $70.18 | $140.37 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $72.23 | $144.46 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $87.55 | $175.10 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.