How far is it from San Carlos, CA, to San Francisco, CA, ?

The distance between San Carlos, CA, and San Francisco, CA, is 26 mi by road.

How long does it take to drive from San Carlos, CA, to San Francisco, CA, ?

The drive from San Carlos, CA, to San Francisco, CA, takes approximately 40 min by car.

What is the best route from San Carlos, CA, to San Francisco, CA, ?

The fastest route from San Carlos, CA, to San Francisco, CA, covers 26 mi with a driving time of approximately 40 min.

Which direction is San Francisco, CA from San Carlos, CA?

San Francisco, CA lies roughly to the north-west of San Carlos, CA.

Which roads does the route from San Carlos, CA to San Francisco, CA follow?

The drive from San Carlos, CA to San Francisco, CA mainly follows US 101.

Are there charging stations between San Carlos, CA and San Francisco, CA?

Yes. You can charge along the route from San Carlos, CA to San Francisco, CA, including 1001 Harrison St (350 kW); 1001 Marina Village Pkwy (350 kW); 2860 16th St (350 kW). Charging points on this route: 627.

San Carlos, CA San Francisco, CA

Distance: 26 miDuration: 40 min

Driving from San Carlos, CA to San Francisco, CA takes about 40 min via US 101. The distance is 26 mi. The straight-line distance is 21 mi. Driving directions

EV Charging Stations Attractions Show more

Driving directions25 · 26 mi

1 Depart right onto Tamarack Avenue 1 mi
2 Turn left onto Alma Street 91 yd
3 Turn right onto Alameda de las Pulgas 1 mi
4 At end of road, turn right onto San Carlos Avenue 1 mi
5 At end of road, turn left onto El Camino Real 1 mi
6 Turn right onto Holly Street 1 mi
7 Take ramp slightly right 1 mi
8 Keep slightly left 1 mi
9 Merge slightly left onto Bayshore Freeway 18 mi
10 Continue straight onto James Lick Freeway 2 mi
11 Take exit slightly right 1 mi
12 Keep slightly left 1 mi
13 Merge slightly right onto John F Foran Freeway 2 mi

14 Take exit slightly right 1 mi
15 Turn sharp right onto Monterey Boulevard 1 mi
16 Continue left onto Diamond Street 121 yd
17 Turn left onto Bosworth Street 1 mi
18 Turn slightly right 63 yd
19 Turn right onto Elk Street 1 mi
20 Continue straight onto Diamond Heights Boulevard 2 mi
21 At end of road, turn left onto Clipper Street 102 yd
22 Continue straight onto Burnett Avenue 1 mi
23 Continue right onto Burnett Avenue 65 yd
24 Turn left onto Gardenside Drive 1 mi
25 Arrive left onto Gardenside Drive

View more details

The return trip from San Francisco, CA to San Carlos, CA covers roughly the same distance, 26 mi.

Driving directions from San Carlos, CA to San Francisco, CA
Charging points along the way
Top attractions along the route
Find hotels near San Francisco, CA
Rent a car near San Carlos, CA
Popular routes from destination
Questions and answers

Along the way

Charging points along the way

553 chargers

1001 Harrison StCCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla · 1001 Harrison St., San Francisco, CA, 94103350 kW
1001 Marina Village PkwyCCS · 1001 Marina Village Pkwy, 101, Alameda, CA, 94501350 kW
2860 16th StCCS, CHAdeMO · 2860 16th St, San Francisco, CA, 94103350 kW
4200 DumontCCS · 4242 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA, 94403350 kW
AMC Parking Lot Geary BlvdCCS, CHAdeMO · 1000 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94109350 kW

EV Charging Stations

Data source: OpenChargeMap

Top attractions along the route

No notable attractions were found along this route.

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Find hotels near San Francisco, CA

Rent a car near San Carlos, CA

Explore

Popular routes from destination

Popular destinations close by

San Francisco, CA → Larkspur, CA17 mi · 35 min San Francisco, CA → Clayton, CA36 mi · 1 h San Francisco, CA → San Bruno, CA12 mi · 20 min San Francisco, CA → Hillsborough, CA19 mi · 35 min San Francisco, CA → Pacifica, CA13 mi · 25 min San Francisco, CA → Piedmont, CA15 mi · 30 min

Sources

Distance and drive time are computed from OpenStreetMap road data with the OSRM routing engine. Updated October 2, 2026.

Overview

Questions and answers

How far is it from San Carlos, CA, {fromState} to San Francisco, CA, {toState}?: The distance between San Carlos, CA, {fromState} and San Francisco, CA, {toState} is 26 mi by road.
How long does it take to drive from San Carlos, CA, {fromState} to San Francisco, CA, {toState}?: The drive from San Carlos, CA, {fromState} to San Francisco, CA, {toState} takes approximately 40 min by car.
What is the best route from San Carlos, CA, {fromState} to San Francisco, CA, {toState}?: The fastest route from San Carlos, CA, {fromState} to San Francisco, CA, {toState} covers 26 mi with a driving time of approximately 40 min.
Which direction is San Francisco, CA from San Carlos, CA?: San Francisco, CA lies roughly to the north-west of San Carlos, CA.
Which roads does the route from San Carlos, CA to San Francisco, CA follow?: The drive from San Carlos, CA to San Francisco, CA mainly follows US 101.
Are there charging stations between San Carlos, CA and San Francisco, CA?: Yes. You can charge along the route from San Carlos, CA to San Francisco, CA, including 1001 Harrison St (350 kW); 1001 Marina Village Pkwy (350 kW); 2860 16th St (350 kW). Charging points on this route: 627.

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