How far is San Francisco, CA from Santa Cruz, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA is about 72.6 miles (116.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.3 miles (95.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 04m 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 01h 32m.
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.
Community in Contra Costa County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Slight Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Santa Cruz.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Santa Cruz.
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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 right to continue on CA 85 South: Cupertino, Santa Cruz
13.3 mi · 15 min
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9
Take the exit right toward CA 17: San Jose, Santa Cruz
771 ft · 15 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on CA 17 South: Santa Cruz
1746 ft · 35 sec
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11
Merge slight left
21.5 mi · 29 min
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12
Continue on Santa Cruz Highway
1391 ft · 22 sec · Santa Cruz Highway
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13
Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway
121 m · 6 sec · Cabrillo Highway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Cabrillo Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Cabrillo Highway
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15
Continue on Chestnut Street Extension
1153 ft · 28 sec · Chestnut Street Extension
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16
Continue on Chestnut Street
37 m · 12 sec · Chestnut Street
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17
Turn right
16 m · 4 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Santa Cruz.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving San Francisco and Slight Chance Light Rain near Santa Cruz.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Santa Cruz?
The road trip is about 72.6 miles (116.8 km) and usually takes 01h 32m 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?
Mountain View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.3 miles from San Francisco and 36.3 miles from Santa Cruz.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.3 miles (95.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.77 one way or $29.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Francisco and Slight Chance Light Rain near Santa Cruz.
Stop Ideas Near Mountain View
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 Mountain View.
Santa Clara – Great America station
Santa Clara station
San Jose Diridon station
Fremont station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Straight-line distance: 59.3 mi (95.44 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 Cruz
The most populous city in Santa Cruz County, California.
| Population | 64,317 |
| Coordinates | 36.9741200, -122.0308000 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Cruz (-122.0308, 36.97412)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 117 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $14.77 | $29.54 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $15.53 | $31.06 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $15.98 | $31.96 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $19.37 | $38.74 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.