How far is Ventura, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Ventura, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 357.6 miles (575.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 298.1 miles (479.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 00m 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 06h 00m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ventura and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ventura and San Francisco.
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1
Start on South California Street
8 m · 5 sec · South California Street
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2
Turn right onto East Thompson Boulevard
144 m · 21 sec · East Thompson Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto South Oak Street
17 m · 1 sec · South Oak Street
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4
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North: Santa Barbara
827 ft · 20 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
14.4 mi · 17 min · Ventura Freeway
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6
Continue on El Camino Real
16.4 mi · 19 min · El Camino Real
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 154: State Street, Cachuma Lake
1127 ft · 29 sec
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8
Continue on Calle Real
1672 ft · 40 sec · Calle Real
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9
Turn right onto Chumash Highway
23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
35 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Chumash Highway
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
43 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
6.3 mi · 10 min · Chumash Highway
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14
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North
1138 ft · 31 sec
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15
Merge slight left
229.6 mi · 4 hr 25 min
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16
Keep slight left
21.9 mi · 25 min
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17
Keep slight left
35.8 mi · 43 min
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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 Ventura and San Francisco.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 101 North
Merge slight left
230 mi · 04h 25m
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 Ventura and Areas Of 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 Ventura to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 357.6 miles (575.5 km) and usually takes 06h 00m 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?
Lake Nacimiento is a useful midpoint, sitting about 176.2 miles from Ventura and 181.4 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 298.1 miles (479.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:00 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $72.80 one way or $145.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ventura and Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Nacimiento
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 Lake Nacimiento.
Paso Robles station
Atascadero, California
San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), California
San Luis Obispo
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ventura and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 298.09 mi (479.73 km).
#1 Ventura
The most populous city in Ventura County, California.
| Population | 96,769 |
| Coordinates | 34.2783400, -119.2931700 |
| 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: 576 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $72.80 | $145.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $76.55 | $153.11 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $78.79 | $157.57 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $95.50 | $190.99 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.