Los Angeles to San Francisco Distance
381 miles•613 km•6.4 hours
Driving distance and route information from Los Angeles, United Statesto San Francisco, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.
⭐
FASTEST ROUTE
380.77 mi
(612.79 km)
⏱️6h 27m
Via US-101 → I-5 → I-580 → I-80
US-101 → I-5
💰 Tolls
🔄
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE
402.41 mi
(647.61 km)
⏱️6h 56m
Via US-101 → I-5 → CA-99 → I-205
US-101 → I-5
📏 Straight-line distance: 347 miles (559 km)
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Complete Driving Guide: Los Angeles to San Francisco
Essential Route Information
TOTAL DISTANCE
381 mi
613 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
6.4 hours
384 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
51 L
$77 cost
📍 Route Overview
Starting PointLos Angeles, California
DestinationSan Francisco, California
Route Options2 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times
🚗 Driving Details
Average Speed96 km/h
Straight-line Distance559 km
Route Efficiency91%
Toll RoadsYes - Budget required
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries
Compare All Routes from Los Angeles to San Francisco
| Route Type | Distance | Drive Time | Avg Speed | Tolls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fastest Route | 381 mi (613 km) | 6.4 hours | 95 km/h | ✅ Yes |
| Alternative 1 | 402 mi (648 km) | 6.9 hours | 93 km/h | ❌ No |
Complete Journey Overview: Los Angeles to San Francisco
The road journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco spans approximately 381 miles (613 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 6.4 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.
This route connects California, United States with California, United States, traversing through various regions within United States. The journey offers 2 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.
The fastest driving route from Los Angeles to San Francisco follows the US-101 → I-5 → I-580 → I-80 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 96 km/h. This corridor uses toll roads — budget for tolls along the way.
🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials
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Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 15 gallons (51 liters) of fuel for this 381 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
✓
Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 7.4 hours.
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Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
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Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.
💰 Cost Estimation Guide
Fuel Cost (approximate)$53
Toll Costs$19
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$95
Total Trip Cost$168
* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.
Alternative Transportation Options
🚗
By Car
6.4 hours
381 miles
✈️
By Plane
0.7 hours flight
559 km direct
🚌
By Bus
8.3 hours
Multiple stops
More routes from Los Angeles
Los Angeles to San Francisco - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the driving distance from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
The driving distance from Los Angeles to San Francisco is 381 miles (613 km) by the fastest route, which follows US-101 → I-5 → I-580 → I-80. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 559 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.
How long does it take to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
The drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco takes approximately 6h 27m of continuous driving at an average speed of 96 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 7.4 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
The fastest driving route from Los Angeles to San Francisco is 381 miles (613 km) via US-101 → I-5 → I-580 → I-80, taking about 6h 27m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
Yes, 2 routing options exist between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Alternatives have similar total distance but use different road segments — useful if the primary corridor has heavy traffic or construction.
Does the route from Los Angeles to San Francisco include tolls?
Yes, the fastest driving route from Los Angeles to San Francisco includes toll roads along US-101 → I-5 → I-580 → I-80. Toll costs vary by vehicle class and exact path; check the route summary cards above for toll-road indicators on each route option.
How much fuel does it take to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 13 gallons (51 liters) of fuel for the 381-mile (613-km) drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $46 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Los Angeles as the origin and San Francisco as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.