How far is Santa Cruz, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Cruz, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 75.8 miles (122 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.3 miles (95.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 36m 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 18m.
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.
Slight Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
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1
Start on the route
16 m · 7 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Chestnut Street
32 m · 2 sec · Chestnut Street
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3
Keep slight left to continue on Chestnut Street Extension
943 ft · 21 sec · Chestnut Street Extension
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4
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Cabrillo Highway
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5
Take the exit slight left toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland
1133 ft · 24 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
21.4 mi · 29 min · Santa Cruz Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 85 North, CA 85 South: Mountain View, Gilroy
1031 ft · 20 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on CA 85 North: Mountain View
2190 ft · 42 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 North: Mountain View
558 ft · 14 sec
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10
Continue straight
966 ft · 24 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on CA 85: Mountain View
2157 ft · 55 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto West Valley Freeway
12.7 mi · 15 min · West Valley Freeway
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13
Continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
2931 ft · 41 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
30.2 mi · 35 min · Bayshore Freeway
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15
Continue on James Lick Freeway
4.2 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
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16
Continue on Central Freeway
1.3 km · 1 min · Central Freeway
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17
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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18
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
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
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
30.2 mi · 00h 35m
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.
Slight Chance Light Rain leaving Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 75.8 miles (122 km) and usually takes 01h 18m 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 36.7 miles from Santa Cruz and 39.1 miles from San Francisco.
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 16.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.46 one way or $30.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain around Santa Cruz and Chance Light Rain near San Francisco.
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 Santa Cruz and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 59.3 mi (95.44 km).
#1 Santa Cruz
The most populous city in Santa Cruz County, California.
| Population | 64,317 |
| Coordinates | 36.9741200, -122.0308000 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| 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: 122 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $15.46 | $30.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $16.26 | $32.51 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $16.73 | $33.46 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $20.28 | $40.56 |
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.