Origin
Madera, CA
Late night in Madera on Wednesday
Local time
4:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Madera, CA to Oakland, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h
Distance
152.6 mi
246 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madera, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Oakland, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 152.6-mile drive from Madera, CA to Oakland, CA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours to complete. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways, with 98% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $35, and with only one recommended stop, it's a straightforward journey. This drive focuses heavily on highway travel, making it an efficient option for getting between these two Pacific Coast locations. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.3 miles from Madera, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this trip, with 98% of the route on freeways. You'll be navigating on Northbound California State Route 99 for a significant portion, including the longest stretch of 74.7 miles without a major road change. This section is primarily on the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway and the Robert T. Monagan Freeway. The character of the drive is consistent, offering a fast-paced journey with minimal deviation from the main thoroughfares, suitable for covering distance efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Northbound California State Route 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 74.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Northbound California State Route 99 and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.9 miles in near CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 152.6 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 11.9 miles (CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.9 miles (I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
11.9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99 toward CA 99
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99
8
138.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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
141.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m 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
151.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m 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
152.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m 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 Madera, CA to Oakland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
San Francisco
86.5 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northbound California State Route 99 | 74.7 mi | 1h 27m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 29.7 mi | 34m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 13.9 mi | 15m |
| CA 99 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| CA 120 | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| Castro Valley Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Westside Freeway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Northbound California State Route 99
— 74.7 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madera, CA and Oakland, CA.
1
Start on North Gateway Drive
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Gateway Drive
2
Turn left onto West 4th Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
West 4th Street
3
Turn right onto North H Street
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North H Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
5
Merge onto CA 99
11 mi
·
12 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
75 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
8
Merge onto CA 120
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Westside Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
11
Continue on I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 238
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Castro Valley Freeway
Exit 34
Toward I 238
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 880 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 880
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 41A
Toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Oak Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Harrison Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
14th Street
21
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility with your departure time. Consider an early morning start to bypass potential traffic as you approach Oakland. The longest uninterrupted stretch is almost 75 miles on Northbound California State Route 99, so plan your stop beforehand if you prefer more frequent breaks. With a fuel cost estimate of $35, it's a budget-friendly drive. A practical tip is to check real-time traffic conditions before you leave, especially for the final approach into the Bay Area, as this can significantly impact your travel time.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.3 miles from Madera, CA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.7 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 26m
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 Madera, 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 Madera, CA
This is one driving day of about 152.6 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Madera, 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 Northbound California State Route 99 for about 74.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.3 mi from Madera, CA · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.3 miles from Madera, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Northbound California State Route 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.7 miles.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.07 one way
$70.15 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $36.14 | $72.29 |
| premium | $6.18 | $37.11 | $74.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.69 | $67.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.02 | $7.32 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.35 | $6.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61 | 0 | $21.36 | $9.77 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Oakland, CA
Late night in Oakland on Wednesday
Local time
4:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 2:09PM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 2:09PM PDT until April 16 at 7:00AM PDT by NWS Reno NV
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
5 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
3h on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Madera, CA to Oakland, CA covers 152.6 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Northbound California State Route 99, Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, Robert T. Monagan 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 76.3 miles from Madera, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.07 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 152.6 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 11.9 miles (CA 99 / Northbound California State Route 99): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.9 miles (I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Madera, CA to Oakland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
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