How far is San Francisco, CA from San Carlos, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to San Carlos, CA is about 23.7 miles (38.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 02m 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 31m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
A city in San Mateo County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and San Carlos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and San Carlos.
-
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
12.2 mi · 14 min · Bayshore Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Holly Street, Brittan Avenue
754 ft · 18 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Holly Street
941 ft · 25 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Holly Street
2038 ft · 1 min · Holly Street
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11
Turn left onto El Camino Real
681 ft · 26 sec · El Camino Real
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12
Turn right onto San Carlos Avenue
19 m · 1 sec · San Carlos Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Carlos Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and San Carlos.
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.
Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
12.2 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny leaving San Francisco and Sunny near San Carlos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to San Carlos?
The road trip is about 23.7 miles (38.1 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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?
San Bruno is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.9 miles from San Francisco and 11.9 miles from San Carlos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:28 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.79 one way or $9.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Sunny around San Francisco and Sunny near San Carlos.
Stop Ideas Near San Bruno
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
City of South San Francisco: City Attorney
Foster City - City Hall
My City Hall Wedding
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Bruno.
San Francisco (Caltrain), California
San Francisco (Civic Center), California
San Francisco (Shopping), California
San Francisco (Conv Ctr), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and San Carlos. Straight-line distance: 20.44 mi (32.9 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 San Carlos
City in San Mateo County, California, USA
| Population | 29,641 |
| Coordinates | 37.5071600, -122.2605200 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Carlos (-122.26052, 37.50716)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.79 | $9.58 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $5.03 | $10.07 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $5.18 | $10.36 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $6.28 | $12.56 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.