San Rafael
California
San Rafael is located in California, approximately 15 miles from San Francisco. The most popular drive from San Rafael is to San Francisco. Browse route details including drive time, distance, and gas costs below.
Driving Times from San Rafael
1 destinations
Short Drives — 1
Nearby Cities
Routes to San Rafael
Frequently Asked Questions
How Far Is San Rafael from Major Cities?
Approximate road distances and non-stop drive times from San Rafael to nearby major cities. The closest major hub is San Francisco, roughly 20 miles away by road.
Estimates assume typical highway speeds without extended stops; actual times vary with traffic and weather.
Nearest Major Airports to San Rafael
If part of the trip is by air, these are the closest major airports to San Rafael by road:
Airport drive times are door-to-terminal estimates — add time for parking and security.
Driving from San Rafael: What to Know
San Rafael sits in California, in the West Coast, and most trips out of town start on the local highway network before joining the interstate system. Fill up before you leave — fuel is usually cheaper in town than at highway service plazas — and check conditions before longer drives, since weather in the West Coast can change travel times considerably. The main corridor for trips listed on this page is US-101, so check for construction or closures on that route before setting out.
All drive times on this page assume normal conditions. Gas cost estimates use a 30 MPG vehicle at current average fuel prices — a hybrid or EV can cut that cost roughly in half, and you can compare electric options on our EV trip pages.