How far is San Francisco, CA from Petaluma, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Petaluma, CA is about 39.1 miles (63 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.7 miles (54.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 55m 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 57m.
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.
Census-designated place in Marin County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Petaluma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Petaluma.
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1
Start on Market Street
13 m · 7 sec · Market Street
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2
Turn sharp right onto South Van Ness Avenue
740 ft · 28 sec · South Van Ness Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Otis Street
649 ft · 17 sec · Otis Street
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4
Turn right onto Gough Street
628 ft · 16 sec · Gough Street
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5
Turn right onto Market Street
9 m · 1 sec · Market Street
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6
Keep slight left
151 m · 10 sec
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7
Continue on Franklin Street
1096 ft · 51 sec · Franklin Street
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8
Turn left onto Hayes Street
2406 ft · 1 min · Hayes Street
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9
Turn right onto Webster Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Webster Street
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10
Turn left onto California Street
2416 ft · 1 min · California Street
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11
Turn right onto Divisadero Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Divisadero Street
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12
Turn left onto Lombard Street
616 ft · 30 sec · Lombard Street
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13
Continue on Richardson Avenue
1231 ft · 41 sec · Richardson Avenue
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14
Continue on Presidio Parkway
1.8 mi · 4 min · Presidio Parkway
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15
Continue on Golden Gate Bridge
1.7 mi · 3 min · Golden Gate Bridge
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16
Continue on Redwood Highway
29.8 mi · 37 min · Redwood Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Petaluma Boulevard South, Kastania Road
1506 ft · 41 sec
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18
Turn right onto Kastania Road
93 m · 14 sec · Kastania Road
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19
Continue on Petaluma Boulevard South
1.3 km · 1 min · Petaluma Boulevard South
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Petaluma Boulevard South
30 m · 2 sec · Petaluma Boulevard South
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Petaluma Boulevard South
1.1 mi · 3 min · Petaluma Boulevard South
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Petaluma Boulevard South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Petaluma.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Redwood Highway
Continue on Redwood Highway
29.8 mi · 00h 37m
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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving San Francisco and Mostly Sunny near Petaluma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Petaluma?
The road trip is about 39.1 miles (63 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?
Santa Venetia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.6 miles from San Francisco and 19.6 miles from Petaluma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.7 miles (54.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 4:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.96 one way or $15.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around San Francisco and Mostly Sunny near Petaluma.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Venetia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
BikeLink : Richmond City Hall
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
El Cerrito City Hall
Old Maple Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Venetia.
Richmond station
San Francisco (Wharf), California
San Francisco (Financial), California
Berkeley station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Petaluma. Straight-line distance: 33.75 mi (54.31 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 Petaluma
The most populous city in Sonoma County, California.
| Population | 60,632 |
| Coordinates | 38.2324200, -122.6366500 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Petaluma (-122.63665, 38.23242)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 63 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.96 | $15.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.37 | $16.74 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.62 | $17.23 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.44 | $20.88 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.