How far is San Mateo, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from San Mateo, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 19.6 miles (31.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.5 miles (25 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 53m 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 26m.
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 Mateo and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Mateo and San Francisco.
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1
Start on South El Camino Real
29 m · 7 sec · South El Camino Real
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2
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
2254 ft · 50 sec · East 3rd Avenue
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3
Turn right onto South Delaware Street
114 m · 15 sec · South Delaware Street
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4
Turn left onto East 4th Avenue
954 ft · 29 sec · East 4th Avenue
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5
Keep slight left to continue on East 4th Avenue
1461 ft · 29 sec · East 4th Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 North: San Francisco
807 ft · 20 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
1114 ft · 31 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
12.4 mi · 14 min · Bayshore Freeway
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9
Continue on James Lick Freeway
4.2 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
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10
Continue on Central Freeway
1.3 km · 1 min · Central Freeway
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11
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Mateo and San Francisco.
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
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
12.4 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.
Chance Light Rain leaving San Mateo and Chance Light Rain near San Francisco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Mateo to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 19.6 miles (31.5 km) and usually takes 00h 26m 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 9.8 miles from San Mateo and 9.8 miles from San Francisco.
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 4.1 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 7:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.98 one way or $7.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Mateo and Chance Light Rain near San Francisco.
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 Mateo and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 15.52 mi (24.97 km).
#1 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 |
#2 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 |
End: Market Street (-122.419433, 37.774953)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 32 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 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 | $3.98 | $7.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.19 | $8.37 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.31 | $8.62 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $5.22 | $10.44 |
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.