How far is San Francisco, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to San Mateo, CA is about 19 miles (30.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.5 miles (25 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 51m 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 25m.
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.
The most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and San Mateo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and San Mateo.
-
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
7.2 mi · 8 min · Bayshore Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown San Mateo, 3rd Avenue
141 m · 13 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on 3rd Avenue West, Downtown San Mateo
107 m · 9 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on 3rd Avenue West, Downtown San Mateo
158 m · 19 sec
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11
Turn straight onto East 3rd Avenue
1408 ft · 33 sec · East 3rd Avenue
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12
Turn left onto South Delaware Street
114 m · 12 sec · South Delaware Street
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13
Turn right onto East 4th Avenue
2266 ft · 51 sec · East 4th Avenue
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14
Turn right onto South El Camino Real
82 m · 7 sec · South El Camino Real
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South El Camino Real
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and San Mateo.
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
7.23 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving San Francisco and Chance Light Rain near San Mateo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to San Mateo?
The road trip is about 19 miles (30.5 km) and usually takes 00h 25m 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?
South San Francisco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.5 miles from San Francisco and 9.4 miles from San Mateo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.5 miles (25 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 7:38 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.87 one way or $7.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Francisco and Chance Light Rain near San Mateo.
Stop Ideas Near South San Francisco
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
SF City Hall Photographer
My City Hall Wedding
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South San Francisco.
San Francisco (Civic Center), California
San Francisco (Shopping), California
San Francisco (Caltrain), California
San Francisco (Conv Ctr), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and San Mateo. Straight-line distance: 15.52 mi (24.97 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 Mateo
The second most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 102,398 |
| Coordinates | 37.5629900, -122.3255300 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Mateo (-122.32553, 37.56299)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 31 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $3.87 | $7.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.06 | $8.13 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.18 | $8.37 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $5.07 | $10.14 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.