How far is Union City, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Union City, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 35.1 miles (56.5 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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Union City and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City and San Francisco.
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1
Start on Cambridge Way
59 m · 11 sec · Cambridge Way
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2
Turn left onto Union City Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Union City Boulevard
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3
Continue on Hesperian Boulevard
2 mi · 4 min · Hesperian Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 92 East, I 880: Hayward
2521 ft · 35 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 880 North, CA 92 East: Oakland, Downtown Hayward
1127 ft · 15 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 880 North: Oakland
1513 ft · 22 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
14.8 mi · 17 min · Nimitz Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Nimitz Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Nimitz Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 Toll West: San Francisco, Bay Bridge
1.6 km · 1 min
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10
Take the exit slight left
2411 ft · 37 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 80
67 m · 3 sec
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12
Merge slight right onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.4 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on Route 80
1438 ft · 24 sec · Route 80
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14
Continue on Route 80
1.2 km · 1 min · Route 80
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15
Continue on Route 80
1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 101 North: Golden Gate Bridge
1919 ft · 39 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto Central Freeway
1462 ft · 25 sec · Central Freeway
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18
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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19
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Union City 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.
Nimitz Freeway
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
14.8 mi · 00h 17m
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 Union City and 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 Union City to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 35.1 miles (56.5 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 15.3 miles from Union City and 19.8 miles from San Francisco.
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 12.9 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 $7.15 one way or $14.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Union City and Mostly Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Alameda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
Alameda Public Works Department
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 Union City and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 22.21 mi (35.75 km).
#1 Union City
A city in Placer County, California.
| Population | 74,107 |
| Coordinates | 37.5963232, -122.0816297 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.15 | $14.31 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $7.52 | $15.04 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $7.74 | $15.48 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $9.38 | $18.77 |
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.