How far is San Francisco, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Santa Clara, CA is about 44.4 miles (71.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.6 miles (62.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m 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 56m.
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.
Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Santa Clara.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Santa Clara.
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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
5.2 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
6.1 mi · 7 min · Bayshore Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Montague Expressway, San Tomas Expressway
836 ft · 20 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on San Tomas Expressway
1199 ft · 29 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto San Tomas Expressway
609 ft · 14 sec · San Tomas Expressway
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12
Turn left onto Scott Boulevard
1.8 mi · 4 min · Scott Boulevard
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13
Turn left onto Warburton Avenue
1283 ft · 46 sec · Warburton Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Lincoln Street
695 ft · 24 sec · Lincoln Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Santa Clara.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
25 mi · 00h 29m
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 Sunny leaving San Francisco and Sunny near Santa Clara.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Santa Clara?
The road trip is about 44.4 miles (71.5 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?
Belmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.2 miles from San Francisco and 22.2 miles from Santa Clara.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.6 miles (62.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 4:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.06 one way or $18.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around San Francisco and Sunny near Santa Clara.
Stop Ideas Near Belmont
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 Belmont.
Hayward station
Fremont station
Oakland Coliseum station
San Francisco (Caltrain), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Santa Clara. Straight-line distance: 38.62 mi (62.16 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 Santa Clara
The third most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 131,055 |
| Coordinates | 37.3541100, -121.9552400 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Clara (-121.95524, 37.35411)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 72 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.06 | $18.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $9.52 | $19.05 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $9.80 | $19.60 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $11.88 | $23.76 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.