How far is Sunnyvale, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Sunnyvale, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 40.7 miles (65.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35 miles (56.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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 00h 46m.
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.
City in San Mateo County, California, United States
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 Sunnyvale and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunnyvale and San Francisco.
-
1
Start on West El Camino Real
726 ft · 18 sec · West El Camino Real
-
2
Turn slight left
86 m · 20 sec
-
3
Turn sharp left onto West El Camino Real
1.9 mi · 4 min · West El Camino Real
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 85 North
1244 ft · 33 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
-
6
Continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
2931 ft · 41 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
30.2 mi · 35 min · Bayshore Freeway
-
8
Continue on James Lick Freeway
4.2 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
-
9
Continue on Central Freeway
1.3 km · 1 min · Central Freeway
-
10
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
-
11
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sunnyvale 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.
Chance Light Rain leaving Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 40.7 miles (65.5 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Foster City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Sunnyvale and 20.4 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35 miles (56.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 4:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.25 one way or $16.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Sunnyvale and Chance Light Rain near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Foster City
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 Foster City.
Hayward station
Oakland Coliseum station
Fremont station
Oakland – Jack London Square station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sunnyvale and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 35.03 mi (56.38 km).
#1 Sunnyvale
The sixth most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 151,746 |
| Coordinates | 37.3688300, -122.0363500 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| 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: 65 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.25 | $16.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.67 | $17.35 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.93 | $17.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.82 | $21.64 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.