Originally Posted by
Robert Schaller
From the Golden Gate Bridge to the I-5/I-205 interchange in Portland (near Tualatin, OR) it is 720 miles, roughly via US101 and Eureka -- or about 635 miles if you stick to I-5.
This can be done in 8.5 hours on I-5, or 10 hours using US101. Both are extremely scenic. US101 gives you the coast between Eureka and Crescent City, then a run through the Redwoods to pick up I-5 at Grants Pass, Oregon. I-5 gives you the Mt Shasta area -- beautiful high forested mountains, valleys and lakes -- it'll remind you a bit of the Scottish Highlands if the weather is right (if you've seen those).
Given you want to make good time, and you'll likely have already seen a bit of the coast between LA and San Francisco, I'll suggest you take I-5 and save the time. Keep in mind that my times are DRIVING time alone, not counting all the stops you make. Obviously, you won't be in Portland 8.5 hours after leaving San Francisco.
Seattle is 3 more hours, Vancouver 2 more beyond that. Bob