How far is San Francisco, CA from Union City, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Union City, CA is about 31 miles (49.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.2 miles (35.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 26m 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 43m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Alameda County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Union City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Union City.
-
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
1724 ft · 1 min · Bryant Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 80 East: Oakland
1538 ft · 26 sec
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5
Merge slight right onto Route 80
1.5 km · 1 min · Route 80
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6
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.1 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 880 South: Alameda, San Jose
2454 ft · 42 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 880 South
1.2 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
13 mi · 16 min · Nimitz Freeway
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10
Keep slight left
5.6 mi · 6 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Nimitz Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Whipple Road, Dyer Street
1823 ft · 46 sec
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13
Continue on Whipple Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Whipple Road
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14
Turn left onto Union City Boulevard
1.1 km · 1 min · Union City Boulevard
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15
Turn right onto Cambridge Way
59 m · 9 sec · Cambridge Way
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cambridge Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Union City.
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.
Nimitz Freeway
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
13 mi · 00h 16m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Francisco and Mostly Sunny near Union City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Union City?
The road trip is about 31 miles (49.9 km) and usually takes 00h 43m 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?
Alameda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.5 miles from San Francisco and 15.5 miles from Union City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.2 miles (35.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.29 one way or $12.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Francisco and Mostly Sunny near Union City.
Stop Ideas Near Alameda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
San Leandro City Council
Old Berkeley City Hall
My City Hall Wedding
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Alameda.
Oakland – Jack London Square station
Oakland Coliseum station
Emeryville station
Berkeley station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Union City. Straight-line distance: 22.21 mi (35.75 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 Union City
A city in Placer County, California.
| Population | 74,107 |
| Coordinates | 37.5963232, -122.0816297 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Union City (-122.08163, 37.596323)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.61 | $13.22 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.80 | $13.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $8.25 | $16.50 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.