Road trip from Chicago to San Francisco
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Nature & Parks
Water & Amusement Parks
Museums
Fun & Games
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Sights & Landmarks
Nature & Parks
Water & Amusement Parks
Museums
Fun & Games
Outdoor Activities
Shopping
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ITINERARY
36h 54m2,135 miles22 stops
1
Wrigley Field
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs with Wrigley Field Tours. Built in 1914, this must-see Chicago attraction houses more than 100 years of history. New this year, fans can join us on a non-gameday Ivy Tour which includes the opportunity to take a photo in front of Wrigley Field’s historic ivy wall.
2
Family Museum of Arts and Science
Exploration is encouraged at this museum.
3
Iowa Wine Tours
Experience a fun-filled, flexible and educational wine tour with the Upper Mississippi Valley Wine Region`s first wine tour company
4
Hot Shops Art Center
5
Hollywood Candy
Hollywood Candy is a giant candy store proudly serving Omaha’s Old Market since 2007. We offer a large selection of housemate chocolate candy including our chocolate covered bacon, chocolate potato chips, candy cookie pops and our famous Peanut Butter Surprise. We have all flavors or Jelly Belly jelly beans and a large selection of M&M’s. We offer the largest selection of bulk candy in the area including hard to find retro brands, favorite brands like Hershey’s and Oreo, rock candy, gummies, sour candy, and lollipops. Our Soda Shoppe offers over 200 varieties of familiar and unique soda brands. We have the largest collection of PEZ dispensers for everyone to enjoy plus a large assortment for sale.
6
Fun Plex
7
Gage County Historical Society and Museum
8
Fort Kearny State Historical Park
9
Yanney Heritage Park
This city park is loaded with features which are free to the public including trails, labyrinth, gardens, lake, splash pads (summer only) and playgrounds. There is a Senior Center that has activities and lunch (for a fee). During the summer months, there is a concessions stand and rentals available (for a fee). There are two air-conditioned facilities to rent for gatherings (for a fee). Great place to relax, play, walk, explore, fish, kayak, picnic, meet and much more! For more information about rentals, contact the City Park and Rec office at 308-237-4644. To donate to the park, contact the Yanney Heritage Park Foundation office at 308-237-7095.
10
Folsom Field
11
Sugar House Park
Once the site of Utah Territorial Prison, this park is a lot more pleasant today, with a gently rolling landscape great for running.
12
Great Salt Lake
This 20,000 square mile lake, the second saltiest in the world, is also a wildlife refuge attracting millions of migratory birds every year to the ten islands within it.
13
South Fork State Recreation Area
14
Wide Open Reno
Wide Open Reno experience pushes the envelope of an adventure based vacation. Much more than a simple racing school or guided low-speed tour, our exclusive open-wheel tour cars provide our guests with the performance and safety of a modern desert racer, but are comfortable enough for anyone to drive. Seasoned guides lead you through the entire journey.
15
Galaxy Luxury+
16
Incline Beach
17
Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room
Real Escape games let you live the game. We have real-life escape games where teams of 3-12 people are locked into a custom built, challenging and entertaining environments to solve the many mysteries, puzzles and challenges. You need to unlock the final clues to open the door and escape the room. Escape Rooms are fun for all ages.
18
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
19
Funderland Amusement Park
Historic Funderland Amusement Park is now open for its 2024 78th Anniversary season! First opened in 1946, Funderland continues to delight generations of Northern California families. Located on two lovely acres in Sacramento's beautiful 100+ year-old William Land Park, Funderland features ten child-sized amusement rides and attractions (nine of which children can also share and ride with their parents and grandparents!), four fun photo ops (perfect for family group shots!), a FunderTreats concession stand featuring delicious food, amusement park treats, and drinks, and plenty of big, mature shade trees! Funderland offers families a delightful day outside in welcoming and comfortable surroundings, and is also the perfect place to have your next birthday party, fundraiser, group, or corporate event! Parking is always free, and Funderland's one-price Gate Admission gives guests of all ages both entry to the park AND unlimited rides for the entire day!
20
Levi's Stadium
21
Angel Island State Park
The largest island in San Francisco Bay features magnificent views of Marin County and San Francisco, while offering a wide variety of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.
22
Powell and Market Cable Car Turnaround
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
Chicago to San Francisco
1
Start:Wrigley Field
Chicago, Illinois·
4.5
(9954) review
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs with Wrigley Field Tours. Built in 1914, this must-see Chicago attraction houses more than 100 years of history. New this year, fans can join us on a non-gameday Ivy Tour which includes the opportunity to take a photo in front of Wrigley Field’s historic ivy wall.
2
Start:Family Museum of Arts and Science
Bettendorf, Iowa·
4.5
(95) review
Exploration is encouraged at this museum.
3
Start:Iowa Wine Tours
Dubuque, Iowa·
4.5
(93) review
Experience a fun-filled, flexible and educational wine tour with the Upper Mississippi Valley Wine Region`s first wine tour company
4
Start:Hot Shops Art Center
Omaha, Nebraska·
4.5
(96) review
13th & Nicholas, Omaha, NE 68102
5
Start:Hollywood Candy
Omaha, Nebraska·
4.0
(99) review
Hollywood Candy is a giant candy store proudly serving Omaha’s Old Market since 2007. We offer a large selection of housemate chocolate candy including our chocolate covered bacon, chocolate potato chips, candy cookie pops and our famous Peanut Butter Surprise. We have all flavors or Jelly Belly jelly beans and a large selection of M&M’s. We offer the largest selection of bulk candy in the area including hard to find retro brands, favorite brands like Hershey’s and Oreo, rock candy, gummies, sour candy, and lollipops. Our Soda Shoppe offers over 200 varieties of familiar and unique soda brands. We have the largest collection of PEZ dispensers for everyone to enjoy plus a large assortment for sale.
6
Start:Fun Plex
Omaha, Nebraska·
3.5
(92) review
7003 Q St, Omaha, NE 68117-1649
7
Start:Gage County Historical Society and Museum
Beatrice, Nebraska·
4.5
(9) review
101 N 2nd St, Beatrice, NE 68310-2819
8
Start:Fort Kearny State Historical Park
Kearney, Nebraska·
4.0
(99) review
1020 V Rd, Kearney, NE 68847-8043
9
Start:Yanney Heritage Park
Kearney, Nebraska·
5.0
(90) review
This city park is loaded with features which are free to the public including trails, labyrinth, gardens, lake, splash pads (summer only) and playgrounds. There is a Senior Center that has activities and lunch (for a fee). During the summer months, there is a concessions stand and rentals available (for a fee). There are two air-conditioned facilities to rent for gatherings (for a fee). Great place to relax, play, walk, explore, fish, kayak, picnic, meet and much more! For more information about rentals, contact the City Park and Rec office at 308-237-4644. To donate to the park, contact the Yanney Heritage Park Foundation office at 308-237-7095.
10
Start:Folsom Field
Boulder, Colorado·
4.5
(98) review
2400 Colorado Ave University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80305
11
Start:Sugar House Park
Salt Lake City, Utah·
4.5
(99) review
Once the site of Utah Territorial Prison, this park is a lot more pleasant today, with a gently rolling landscape great for running.
12
Start:Great Salt Lake
Salt Lake City, Utah·
4.0
(987) review
This 20,000 square mile lake, the second saltiest in the world, is also a wildlife refuge attracting millions of migratory birds every year to the ten islands within it.
13
Start:South Fork State Recreation Area
Spring Creek, Nevada·
3.5
(2) review
353 Lower South Frk Suite 8, Spring Creek, NV 89815-9778
14
Start:Wide Open Reno
Sparks, Nevada·
4.5
(7) review
Wide Open Reno experience pushes the envelope of an adventure based vacation. Much more than a simple racing school or guided low-speed tour, our exclusive open-wheel tour cars provide our guests with the performance and safety of a modern desert racer, but are comfortable enough for anyone to drive. Seasoned guides lead you through the entire journey.
15
Start:Galaxy Luxury+
Sparks, Nevada·
4.5
(97) review
1170 Scheels Dr, Sparks, NV 89434-4404
16
Start:Incline Beach
Incline Village, Lake Tahoe (Nevada), Nevada·
4.0
(97) review
Lakeshore Blvd, Incline Village, NV
17
Start:Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room
Sacramento, California·
5.0
(98) review
Real Escape games let you live the game. We have real-life escape games where teams of 3-12 people are locked into a custom built, challenging and entertaining environments to solve the many mysteries, puzzles and challenges. You need to unlock the final clues to open the door and escape the room. Escape Rooms are fun for all ages.
18
Start:Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(98) review
1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247
19
Start:Funderland Amusement Park
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(99) review
Historic Funderland Amusement Park is now open for its 2024 78th Anniversary season! First opened in 1946, Funderland continues to delight generations of Northern California families. Located on two lovely acres in Sacramento's beautiful 100+ year-old William Land Park, Funderland features ten child-sized amusement rides and attractions (nine of which children can also share and ride with their parents and grandparents!), four fun photo ops (perfect for family group shots!), a FunderTreats concession stand featuring delicious food, amusement park treats, and drinks, and plenty of big, mature shade trees! Funderland offers families a delightful day outside in welcoming and comfortable surroundings, and is also the perfect place to have your next birthday party, fundraiser, group, or corporate event! Parking is always free, and Funderland's one-price Gate Admission gives guests of all ages both entry to the park AND unlimited rides for the entire day!
20
Start:Levi's Stadium
Santa Clara, California·
4.0
(985) review
4900 Marie P Debartolo Way, Santa Clara, CA 95054-1100
21
Start:Angel Island State Park
San Francisco, California·
4.5
(990) review
The largest island in San Francisco Bay features magnificent views of Marin County and San Francisco, while offering a wide variety of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.
22
Start:Powell and Market Cable Car Turnaround
San Francisco, California·
4.0
(992) review
Powell and Market Streets, San Francisco, CA 94102
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Chicago and San Francisco?
The distance is 2,135 miles
What's the travel time between Chicago and San Francisco?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 36h 54m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Chicago and San Francisco?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to San Francisco?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to San Francisco
What’s the weather like in San Francisco?
The weather in San Francisco is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in San Francisco in January
Weather in San Francisco in February
Weather in San Francisco in March
Weather in San Francisco in April
Weather in San Francisco in May
Weather in San Francisco in June
Weather in San Francisco in July
Weather in San Francisco in August
Weather in San Francisco in September
Weather in San Francisco in October
Weather in San Francisco in November
Weather in San Francisco in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in San Francisco?
Plan your dream San Francisco trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in San Francisco
A 2-day itinerary in San Francisco
A 3-day itinerary in San Francisco
A 4-day itinerary in San Francisco
A 5-day itinerary in San Francisco
A 6-day itinerary in San Francisco
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Chicago?
We have a lot of great trip options for Chicago! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you