How far is San Francisco, CA from Ladera, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Ladera, CA is about 35 miles (56.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.6 miles (46 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m 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 00h 45m.
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 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 Ladera.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Ladera.
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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 mi · 6 min · Bayshore Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 380 West: San Bruno
1 km · 44 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Quentin L. Kopp Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Quentin L. Kopp Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 South: San Jose
3057 ft · 57 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
21 mi · 24 min · Junipero Serra Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Alpine Road
1361 ft · 33 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Portola Valley, Palo Alto University
99 m · 8 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Alpine Road
2796 ft · 1 min · Alpine Road
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14
Turn right onto La Mesa Drive
1768 ft · 1 min · La Mesa Drive
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15
Continue on La Mesa Drive
158 m · 29 sec · La Mesa Drive
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16
Turn left
22 m · 5 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Ladera.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Junipero Serra Freeway
Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
21 mi · 00h 24m
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 Ladera.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Ladera?
The road trip is about 35 miles (56.4 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?
Hillsborough is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from San Francisco and 17.5 miles from Ladera.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.6 miles (46 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 4:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.76 one way or $15.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Francisco and Sunny near Ladera.
Stop Ideas Near Hillsborough
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Events Office
City of South San Francisco: City Attorney
Foster City - City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillsborough.
San Francisco (Civic Center), California
San Francisco (Caltrain), California
San Francisco (Conv Ctr), California
San Francisco (Shopping), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Ladera. Straight-line distance: 28.6 mi (46.02 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 Ladera
Situated in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains within San Mateo County, this unincorporated community sits at an approximate elevation of 308 feet.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.3999400, -122.1983000 |
| Altitude | 94 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ladera (-122.1983, 37.39994)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $7.76 | $15.53 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $8.06 | $16.12 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $8.29 | $16.59 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $10.43 | $20.86 |
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