This 89.8-mile drive from Clay to Oakland, California, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 2 hours and 9 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via Victory Highway and CA 4, with a portion on Twin Cities Road, making for a mixed driving experience. With a fuel cost of approximately $21, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Pacific Coast region. Since there are no recommended overnight stops, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. The overall feel is practical, connecting two points within the same state with a relatively short travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.9 miles from Clay, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 89.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The character of this 89.8-mile drive is a mix, with 49% of it being highway driving. You'll experience stretches on Victory Highway, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 24.6 miles, which likely offers a more open-road feel. As you transition to CA 4 and Twin Cities Road, expect a change in pace and road type. This blended profile means you'll encounter both faster highway sections and potentially more local road conditions as you approach Oakland. The drive progresses from a more rural start to a more developed urban approach.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Victory Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 24.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.5 miles in near CA 160.
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 14 significant decision points across 89.8 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 50.5 miles (CA 160): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.9 miles (CA 242): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles (CA 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|CA 160
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160 toward CA 4 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 4 West
8
65.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|CA 242
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242 toward CA 242: Oakland, Concord
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 242: Oakland, Concord
8
73.7 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|CA 24
Take the exit onto CA 24 toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette, San Francisco
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 46A
Toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette, San Fran...
6
83.1 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|CA 24 / Caldecott Tunnel
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 24 / Caldecott Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
88.9 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward 18th Street, 14th Street
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 1D
Toward 18th Street, 14th Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clay, CA and Oakland, CA, road signs point toward Concord, Lafayette and San Francisco.
Concord
65.9 mi in|~1h 39m|via CA 242
Lafayette
73.7 mi in|~1h 48m|via CA 24
San Francisco
73.7 mi in|~1h 48m|via CA 24
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Victory Highway
24.6 mi
34m
CA 4
14.6 mi
16m
Twin Cities Road
12.3 mi
21m
CA 24
9.4 mi
11m
CA 104
9.3 mi
16m
CA 242
4.6 mi
4m
Grove Shafter Freeway
4.5 mi
5m
River Road
4.2 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Victory Highway
— 24.6 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clay, CA and Oakland, CA.
1
Start on CA 104
9.2 mi·16 min·CA 104
2
Enter roundabout onto CA 104
103 ft·2 sec·CA 104
3
Continue on CA 104
0.1 mi·11 sec·CA 104
4
Enter roundabout onto E13
89 ft·1 sec·Twin Cities Road
5
Continue on E13
12 mi·21 min·Twin Cities Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto E13
2.2 mi·3 min·River Road
7
Turn right onto J11
461 ft·57 sec·Walnut Grove Bridge
8
Turn left onto CA 160
2.2 mi·3 min·Victory Highway
9
Continue on CA 160
5.9 mi·8 min·Victory Highway
10
Continue on CA 160
0.1 mi·1 min·Victory Highway
11
Turn right onto CA 160
1.2 mi·1 min·River Road
12
Continue on CA 160
469 ft·8 sec·2nd Street
13
Continue on CA 160
0.8 mi·1 min·River Road
14
Continue on CA 160
16 mi·21 min·Victory Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160
0.8 mi·1 min·CA 160
Toward CA 4 WestUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto CA 4
15 mi·16 min·CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242
4.6 mi·4 min·CA 242
Toward CA 242: Oakland, ConcordUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 680
3.2 mi·3 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto CA 24
9.4 mi·11 min·CA 24
Exit 46AToward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette, San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 24
0.9 mi·1 min·Caldecott Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on CA 24
4.5 mi·5 min·Grove Shafter Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 980
0.4 mi·29 sec·John B. Williams Freeway
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1DToward 18th Street, 14th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto Brush Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·Brush Street
25
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·14th Street
26
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 89.8-mile trip, flexibility is key. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you get closer to Oakland. The total duration is just over two hours, so you likely won't need extensive stops, but plan for a quick break if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $21 for this journey. A specific tip for this route: be aware that CA 4 can experience significant traffic, particularly during peak commute hours, so adjust your departure time accordingly to minimize delays.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.9 miles from Clay, CA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.6 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 20 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.9 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 51m
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 Clay, 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 Clay, CA
This is one driving day of about 89.8 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Clay, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Victory Highway for about 24.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.9 mi from Clay, CA
· 1h 13m into the drive
The midpoint is around 44.9 miles from Clay, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Oakland, CA
The final approach into Oakland, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Oakland, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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 89.8
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 89.8
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 89.8
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 89.8
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 89.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.64 one way
$41.28 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$21.27
$42.54
premium
$6.18
$21.84
$43.68
diesel
$5.61
$19.83
$39.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.9
0
$9.43
$4.31
Efficient EV
22.5
0
$7.86
$3.59
EV Truck/SUV
35.9
0
$12.57
$5.75
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Clay, CA
Morning
in Clay on Friday
Local time
10:29 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oakland, CA
Morning
in Oakland on Friday
Local time
10:29 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live 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
18 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 9m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clay, CA to Oakland, CA covers 89.8 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Victory Highway, CA 4, Twin Cities Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.9 miles from Clay, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 89.8 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 50.5 miles (CA 160): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.9 miles (CA 242): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles (CA 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clay, CA and Oakland, CA, road signs point toward Concord, Lafayette and San Francisco.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
