US101 vs. I680 thru SF bay area

TravelHawk wrote:
Maps are deceiving because of how California and S.F. Bay are tilted. US-101 is slightly shortest in miles but not in speed.

The east bay route is essentially the same distance, but typically a better drive: US-101 to San Jose, then I-880 along the east bay shoreline to the Bay Bridge "maze" of multiple freeways. Continue north on I-80/I-580, staying on I-580 when it turns west across Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, merging back into US-101. (Toll is $5 for single vehicle. For those who tow, it jumps to $20 for 2 vehicles hooked together -- the State is very bad at math.)

I-880 road quality is poor in south Oakland, and there will be plenty of truck traffic. But the west bay route of US-101 is worse, plus it requires city streets through San Francisco, and the scenic but tight GG Bridge and tight and twisty US-101 in south Marin.

PS: I-680 would be way off-course. From San Jose it leaves the bay and routes inland, north to I-80, which would then be a tough drive to get back to US-101.

Of course, commute traffic and accidents can change everything!