how is the drive from San Diego to San Francisco CA? Distance? Time?

Answer 1

10-12 hours if you go straight up I-5.

I have done this drive up Interstate 5 many times, and I am a pretty fast and experienced freeway driver. I know it seems like you should be able to do it faster if you just look at raw miles on the map, but there are two problems. First, there is no way to avoid going right through the middle of LA, and traffic ALWAYS slows down during that stretch. Second, California Highway Patrol watches the long open stretches of road through the central valley very carefully, including using radar and taking photos by air, so you can't really open up the car and drive when road conditions are best for speed.

People who are saying 8-9 hours are sadly mistaken. Maybe they think that is true because you can do LA to SF in about 6 hours if you really push, and you can do LA to San Diego in 2-3 hours if you push hard too. But when you put it all together it simply doesn't add up because of the ridiculous time it takes to get through LA, and the extra break time you need to take for driving longer distance. If you are on a schedule allow 12 hours to be safe, and get an early start. Good luck.

Answer 2

Depends on whether you take the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) or the I-5. The 5 is faster it will take you 8 hours. but the PCH is so much more scenic and interesting it is well worth the extra time if you are not pressed. The coast is 10 1/2 hours. What we do is take the freeway until Santa Babs then take the coastal route the rest of the way. It is more free flowing after Santa Babs with less lights and traffic. It is a ride that makes you remember why you live in California!

Answer 3

Everyone who's answered has been pretty accurate. Usually people say 9 hours as the standard answer. But it's not. 10 minimum if everything works your way!If you have all the time in the world take 101; And if you want to see the most spectacular scenery in the country get off at Pacific Coast Highway around San Luis Obispo. It will be a long time before you see anything prettier, but it takes a long time to go that way. The fastest way is to take the 5 and if you can, go at night, cuz it gets hot hot hot

Answer 4

UGHH!!! You brought back bad memories! I drove from SF to SD 3 or 4 months ago, left SF at 5 on a Saturday morning (had to meet the movers down in SD early afternoon).

The 5 was pretty easy down to the grapevine, but it's just 2 lanes most of the way so you will get slowed down if there is traffic. It is flat and open, but one of CHP's finest still managed to nail me. She was very nice, we chatted as she wrote me my $160 ticket....

It ended up taking me between 7 and 8 hours. A bit of traffic getting through LA, but then some serious traffic on the 5 south of San Clemente down through La Jolla. Beach traffic I guess.

Should be better heading north - leave early on a weekend and you can get north of LA before the traffic starts. Take the 5, 101 will be slower and is about 50 miles longer. Take the 5 up to 580 then to 80, over the bridge and your there.

BTW, if you look on craigslist you can always find people that are looking for a ride between SD/LA and SF. If you need company or want to share the driving.

Oh, I should have mentioned that I did drive very fast wherever possible. It's over 500 miles, so it's a solid days drive.

Answer 5

if you drive the 5 once you pass the grape vine it's fast because it's flat and you can speed because you can spot the cops but boring, if you take the 101 it's pretty but it takes longer both range from 7-12 hours depending on traffic and road work.

Answer 6

a good 8-9 hours driving. it's about 503 miles. my friend lives in S.D. and drove up to S.F and told me about it.

Answer 7

it gets pretty warm after six flags. if you haul ***, 7 hours. if you stick to the speed limit, 9 hours. id say its 600 miles.

Answer 8

12 hours if you got kids and/or you make a lot of stops.

Answer 9

about a good 10 hours....