How far is Shafter, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Shafter, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 266.4 miles (428.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.8 miles (377.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Merced County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shafter and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shafter and San Francisco.
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1
Start on Jackson Avenue
98 m · 14 sec · Jackson Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Lerdo Highway
14.6 mi · 26 min · East Lerdo Highway
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1849 ft · 45 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
177.8 mi · 3 hr 11 min · Westside Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
15.9 mi · 17 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
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7
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
11.6 mi · 13 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on MacArthur Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · MacArthur Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · MacArthur Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: San Francisco
1.5 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight right onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1015 ft · 17 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Turn slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1959 ft · 33 sec · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.5 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Continue on Route 80
1438 ft · 24 sec · Route 80
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16
Continue on Route 80
1.2 km · 1 min · Route 80
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17
Continue on Route 80
1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80
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18
Keep slight right to continue on US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
1919 ft · 39 sec
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19
Merge slight right onto Central Freeway
1462 ft · 25 sec · Central Freeway
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20
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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21
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shafter 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.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
178 mi · 03h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Shafter and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near San Francisco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shafter to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 266.4 miles (428.8 km) and usually takes 04h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
South Dos Palos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.3 miles from Shafter and 134.2 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.8 miles (377.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:30 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.23 one way or $108.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Shafter and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near South Dos Palos
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 South Dos Palos.
Merced station
Madera
Denair station
Fresno station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shafter and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 234.81 mi (377.89 km).
#1 Shafter
City in Kern County, California, United States
| Population | 20,739 |
| Coordinates | 35.5005100, -119.2717800 |
| Altitude | 106 |
| 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: 429 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $54.23 | $108.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $57.02 | $114.04 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $58.68 | $117.37 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $71.13 | $142.26 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.