San Francisco to Seattle Distance

807 milesβ€’1299 kmβ€’13.3 hours

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

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

807.08 mi
(1298.87 km)
⏱️13h 20m
Via I-80 β†’ I-505 β†’ I-5
I-80 β†’ I-505
πŸ“

SHORTEST ROUTE

805.55 mi
(1296.4 km)
⏱️13h 39m
Via I-80 β†’ I-505 β†’ I-5 β†’ US-97
I-80 β†’ I-505
πŸ“ Straight-line distance: 678 miles (1091 km)
See crow flies distance β†’
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Complete Driving Guide: San Francisco to Seattle

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
807 mi
1299 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
13.3 hours
798 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
108 L
$162 cost

πŸ“ Route Overview

Starting PointSan Francisco, California
DestinationSeattle, Washington
Route Options2 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

πŸš— Driving Details

Average Speed98 km/h
Straight-line Distance1091 km
Route Efficiency84%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from San Francisco to Seattle

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route807 mi (1299 km)13.3 hours97 km/h❌ No
Alternative 1806 mi (1296 km)13.7 hours95 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: San Francisco to Seattle

The road journey from San Francisco to Seattle spans approximately 807 miles (1299 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 13.3 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects California, United States with Washington, 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 Seattle follows the I-80 β†’ I-505 β†’ I-5 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 98 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

πŸ—ΊοΈ Travel Planning Essentials

βœ“
Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 32 gallons (108 liters) of fuel for this 807 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
βœ“
Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 15.3 hours.
βœ“
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.

πŸ’° Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$113
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$202
Total Trip Cost$315

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

Alternative Transportation Options

πŸš—

By Car

13.3 hours

807 miles

✈️

By Plane

1.4 hours flight

1091 km direct

🚌

By Bus

17.3 hours

Multiple stops

San Francisco to Seattle - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from San Francisco to Seattle?
The driving distance from San Francisco to Seattle is 807 miles (1299 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-80 β†’ I-505 β†’ I-5. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 1091 km β€” 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 Seattle?
The drive from San Francisco to Seattle takes approximately 13h 20m of continuous driving at an average speed of 98 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 15.3 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from San Francisco to Seattle?
The fastest driving route from San Francisco to Seattle is 807 miles (1299 km) via I-80 β†’ I-505 β†’ I-5, taking about 13h 20m. 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 Seattle?
Yes β€” alongside the fastest route, a shorter alternative covers 805.55 miles (1296 km) in about 13h 39m. The shortest path saves 1.4500000000000455 miles but takes longer overall because it uses smaller roads.
Does the route from San Francisco to Seattle include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from San Francisco to Seattle stays on toll-free public roads. Alternative routes may use different segments β€” check each route's summary above.
How much fuel does it take to drive from San Francisco to Seattle?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 27 gallons (108 liters) of fuel for the 807-mile (1299-km) drive from San Francisco to Seattle. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $95 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from San Francisco to Seattle?
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 Seattle as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.