This 370.8-mile drive from Altadena, California, to Oakland, California, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can comfortably be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 6 hours and 52 minutes on the road, covering 99% of the journey on major freeways like the Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck. With an estimated fuel cost of $85, this route is an efficient way to travel between the Pacific Coast regions of Southern and Northern California. While it's designed for one day, you'll encounter one significant stretch of 225.6 miles, so planning a brief stop is advisable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
185.4 miles from Altadena, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 52m. Total distance: 370.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the 370.8 miles utilizing major freeways. You'll spend most of your time on the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a considerable 225.6 miles, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed and highway conditions. While not explicitly scenic, the efficiency of this route allows for a quick and direct passage through California.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 225.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.9 miles in near I 5 / Westside Freeway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 370.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 84.9 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 357.1 miles (I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 359.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
84.9 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
8
357.1 mi into trip|~6h 34m in|I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway toward I 238
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward I 238
7
359.5 mi into trip|~6h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 880 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 880 North
8
369.6 mi into trip|~6h 49m in
Take the exit toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 41A
Toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
7
370.5 mi into trip|~6h 51m in|Harrison Street
Turn right onto Harrison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Altadena, CA to Oakland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
San Francisco
310.5 mi in|~5h 42m|via I 580
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
225.6 mi
4h 1m
I 5 Truck
37.1 mi
42m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.6 mi
34m
Foothill Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Nimitz Freeway
9.8 mi
11m
Castro Valley Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altadena, CA and Oakland, CA.
1
Start on North Lake Avenue
154 ft·5 sec·North Lake Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Altadena Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·East Altadena Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto Marengo Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Marengo Avenue
4
Turn right onto East Woodbury Road
1.3 mi·2 min·East Woodbury Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto Windsor Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Windsor Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 210 West: San Fernando
7
Merge onto I 210
22 mi·25 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.0 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·17 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi·1 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
15
Merge onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 238
2.4 mi·2 min·Castro Valley Freeway
Exit 34Toward I 238Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 880 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 880
9.8 mi·11 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 41AToward Oak Street, Lakeside DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Oak Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·12th Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Harrison Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·14th Street
25
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 52-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Altadena to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach urban areas. With a fuel cost estimated at $85, ensure your tank is full before you leave. Given the longest stretch is over 225 miles, planning one well-timed stop for fuel and a break is key. You'll be on major highways for nearly the entire 370.8 miles, so keep an eye on your navigation for any significant lane changes or exits, particularly on the Westside Freeway.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.4 miles from Altadena, CA, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 82 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.4 miles or 3h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakland, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altadena, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Altadena, CA
This is one driving day of about 370.8 miles and 6h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Altadena, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 225.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 185.4 mi from Altadena, CA
· 3h 28m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 370.8
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 370.8
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 370.8
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$15
near mile 370.8
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 370.8
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 25.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$85.23 one way
$170.45 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$87.82
$175.65
premium
$6.18
$90.17
$180.35
diesel
$5.61
$81.87
$163.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
5 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Tesla Supercharger
Granada Hills, California
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Arvin, California
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Santa Clarita, California
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Santa Clarita, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Lynkwell Charging Station
Glendale, California
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla: 3
ChargePoint: 1
Other: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.2
1
$38.93
$17.80
Efficient EV
92.7
1
$32.45
$14.83
EV Truck/SUV
148.3
1
$51.91
$23.73
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Altadena, CA
Afternoon
in Altadena on Thursday
Local time
2:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oakland, CA
Afternoon
in Oakland on Thursday
Local time
2:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
NNW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 52m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altadena, CA to Oakland, CA covers 370.8 miles and takes about 6h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 185.4 miles from Altadena, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $85.23 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 370.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 84.9 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 357.1 miles (I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 359.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Altadena, CA to Oakland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
