This 116.4-mile drive from Maxwell, California to Oakland, California is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 13 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-505, Westside Freeway, and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, making it a predominantly interstate experience. Since you'll be traveling through the Pacific Coast region for both your origin and destination, expect a consistent landscape. This drive is ideal for a quick transit, offering little reason for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.2 miles from Maxwell, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 116.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience on this 116.4-mile route, with 72% of the drive taking place on major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.2 miles on I-505, offering a good opportunity to settle in for a sustained period of driving. The character of the road is largely consistent, characterized by the efficiency of interstate travel. While not explicitly scenic, the focus is on covering ground effectively, making it a practical choice for reaching your destination without significant detours or complex road changes.
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.
I 505 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 505 and Westside Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33 miles in near I 505.
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 116.4 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 33 miles (I 505): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.4 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
8
33 mi into trip|~36m in|I 505
Keep slight right at fork onto I 505 toward I 505 South: Winters, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 505 South: Winters, San Francisco
8
66.2 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West: San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: San Francisco
8
113.4 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|I 580 / Interstate Highway 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...
8
113.6 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|I 580 / MacArthur Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...
9
114.3 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street
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 Maxwell, CA to Oakland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
San Francisco
33 mi in|~36m|via I 505
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 505
33.2 mi
35m
Westside Freeway
32.4 mi
34m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.6 mi
32m
Eastshore Freeway
14.7 mi
17m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
San Pablo Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Carquinez Bridge
1 mi
1m
MacArthur Freeway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 505
— 33.2 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maxwell, CA and Oakland, CA.
1
Start on Maxwell Colusa Road
0.4 mi·39 sec·Maxwell Colusa Road
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
3
Merge onto I 5
32 mi·34 min·Westside Freeway
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 505
33 mi·35 min·I 505
Toward I 505 South: Winters, San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 1AToward I 80 West: San FranciscoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 80
28 mi·32 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·24 sec·Eastshore Freeway
9
Continue on I 80
3.4 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
0.3 mi·21 sec·Interstate Highway 80
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
0.5 mi·42 sec·MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, StocktonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 19AToward MacArthur Boulevard, San Pablo Avenue, Emery StreetUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward San Pablo Avenue, Emery StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto Watts Street
216 ft·11 sec·Watts Street
16
Turn right onto Peralta Street
182 ft·11 sec·Peralta Street
17
Turn left onto 35th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·35th Street
18
Turn right onto San Pablo Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·San Pablo Avenue
19
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Junior Way
0.3 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Junior Way
20
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·14th Street
21
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 13-minute duration of this 116.4-mile drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Oakland. With a fuel cost around $27, ensure your tank is full before departing Maxwell to minimize any mid-route stops. The longest stretch without a major change is over 33 miles, so plan for a brief rest stop before or after this segment if needed. This is a straightforward drive, so focus on maintaining your pace and enjoying the straightforward transit.
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 58.2 miles from Maxwell, CA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.2 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 26 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.2 miles or 1h 3m 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 46m
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 Maxwell, 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 Maxwell, CA
This is one driving day of about 116.4 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Maxwell, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 505 for about 33.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.2 mi from Maxwell, CA
· 1h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 58.2 miles from Maxwell, 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 108.4
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 112.4
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 92.3
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,...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$15
near mile 104.4
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 108.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.75 one way
$53.51 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$27.57
$55.14
premium
$6.18
$28.31
$56.61
diesel
$5.61
$25.70
$51.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.9
0
$12.22
$5.59
Efficient EV
29.1
0
$10.19
$4.66
EV Truck/SUV
46.6
0
$16.30
$7.45
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Maxwell, CA
Late night
in Maxwell on Friday
Local time
12:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oakland, CA
Late night
in Oakland on Friday
Local time
12:43 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
3 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
2h 13m 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 Maxwell, CA to Oakland, CA covers 116.4 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 505, Westside Freeway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.2 miles from Maxwell, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.75 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 116.4 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 33 miles (I 505): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.4 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Maxwell, CA to Oakland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
