🗺️CityToCityDistance

San Francisco to Los Angeles Distance

382 miles•615 km•6.4 hours

Driving distance and route information from San Francisco, United Statesto Los Angeles, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

382.09 mi
(614.91 km)
⏱️6h 22m
Via I-80 → I-580 → I-5 → CA-110
I-80 → I-580
🔄

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

403.61 mi
(649.54 km)
⏱️6h 57m
Via I-580 → I-205 → CA-120 → CA-99
I-580 → I-205
📏 Straight-line distance: 347 miles (559 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: San Francisco to Los Angeles

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
382 mi
615 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
6.4 hours
384 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
51 L
$77 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointSan Francisco, California
DestinationLos Angeles, 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 RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from San Francisco to Los Angeles

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route382 mi (615 km)6.4 hours97 km/h❌ No
Alternative 1404 mi (650 km)7 hours93 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: San Francisco to Los Angeles

The road journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles spans approximately 382 miles (615 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 San Francisco to Los Angeles follows the I-80 → I-580 → I-5 → CA-110 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 96 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

✓
Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 15 gallons (51 liters) of fuel for this 382 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.
✓
Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
✓
Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$54
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$96
Total Trip Cost$149

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

6.4 hours

382 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.7 hours flight

559 km direct

🚌

By Bus

8.3 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from San Francisco

View all distances from San Francisco →

More routes from Los Angeles

View all distances from Los Angeles →

San Francisco to Los Angeles - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
The driving distance from San Francisco to Los Angeles is 382 miles (615 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-80 → I-580 → I-5 → CA-110. 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 San Francisco to Los Angeles?
The drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles takes approximately 6h 22m 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 San Francisco to Los Angeles?
The fastest driving route from San Francisco to Los Angeles is 382 miles (615 km) via I-80 → I-580 → I-5 → CA-110, taking about 6h 22m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
Yes, 2 routing options exist between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Alternatives have similar total distance but use different road segments — useful if the primary corridor has heavy traffic or construction.
Does the route from San Francisco to Los Angeles include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from San Francisco to Los Angeles stays on toll-free public roads. Alternative routes may use different segments — check each route's summary above.
How much fuel does it take to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 13 gallons (51 liters) of fuel for the 382-mile (615-km) drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles. 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 San Francisco to Los Angeles?
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 San Francisco as the origin and Los Angeles as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.