SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Commuters traveling between East Bay and Peninsula cities and San Francisco’s Financial District could see their daily costs climb sharply if gas prices reach $7 per gallon, according to new cost comparisons of driving versus public transit.
People driving an average car that gets 24.9 miles per gallon currently spend about $18.85 per day on gas and tolls traveling from Walnut Creek to downtown San Francisco. If gas rises to $7 per gallon, that daily cost would increase to $21.60. In that scenario, a $13.90 round trip on BART could save commuters more than $7 per day.
Cost estimates show similar patterns across several Bay Area routes. Driving from Richmond to the Financial District costs $15.56 per day, including tolls, while a BART trip costs $11.80 and a ferry ride costs $9.80. From Berkeley, driving costs $13.75 compared with a $10.60 BART fare.
On the Peninsula, where tolls are not a factor, driving from Redwood City costs $12.42 per day, while Caltrain costs $18.50. A trip from Mountain View costs $17.61 by car and $23 by Caltrain and Muni.
North Bay commuters face some of the highest toll-related expenses. Driving from Sausalito costs $14.53 per day, compared with $10 by bus or $16.50 by ferry. From Larkspur, driving costs $17.16, while bus and ferry options range from $10 to $18.50.
RELATED: Gas prices hit above $6 mark, nearly $7 a gallon in one Bay Area city
If gas prices rise to $7 per gallon, the cost of driving increases across all measured routes. A trip from Larkspur would rise to $18.91 per day, while Redwood City would increase to $15.35 and Mountain View to $21.76.
The comparisons highlight how fuel prices and tolls continue to shape commuter decisions across the region, particularly for those weighing the trade-offs between cost, time, and convenience.
Copyright © 2026 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.