Mira Monte to Oakland is 355.8 miles and takes about 6h 58m via Westside Freeway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily follows the Westside Freeway, offering a direct connection between the Pacific Coast regions of Southern and Northern California. Expect a highway-focused journey with a high percentage of time spent on major roadways. With a single recommended day of travel, this route is well-suited for a straightforward trip where efficiency is key. You'll cover a significant distance, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
177.9 miles from Mira Monte, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
199.1 mi
3h 33m
Maricopa Highway
69.6 mi
1h 35m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.6 mi
34m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Taft Highway
16.7 mi
23m
Nimitz Freeway
9.8 mi
11m
West Side Highway
5.7 mi
7m
Castro Valley Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 199.1 mi, about 3h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mira Monte, CA and Oakland, CA.
1
Start on Cruzero Street
89 ft·9 sec·Cruzero Street
2
Turn left onto Tico Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Tico Road
3
Turn straight
170 ft·8 sec
4
Turn slight right onto West Lomita Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·West Lomita Avenue
5
At end of road, turn left onto CA 33
70 mi·1 hr 35 min·Maricopa Highway
6
Continue on CA 33; CA 166
0.1 mi·19 sec·Poso Street
7
Turn left onto CA 33
0.4 mi·51 sec·California Street
8
Continue on CA 33
5.7 mi·7 min·West Side Highway
9
Continue on CA 119
17 mi·23 min·Taft Highway
10
Enter roundabout onto CA 43
310 ft·4 sec·Enos Lane
11
Continue on CA 43
1.9 mi·2 min·Enos Lane
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
13
Merge onto I 5
199 mi·3 hr 33 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·17 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi·1 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
16
Merge onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 880 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 880
9.8 mi·11 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 41AToward Oak Street, Lakeside DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Oak Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·12th Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Harrison Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·14th Street
26
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 58m estimated duration, starting your drive from Mira Monte in the morning allows ample time to reach Oakland before evening. The longest stretch on the Westside Freeway spans nearly 200 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping the $48 budget in mind. While the route is designed for a single-day trip, consider taking a brief break midway to stretch your legs and break up the driving. For a practical tip, be aware that the transition from Maricopa Highway back to freeway conditions can occur without much fanfare, so stay alert to posted speed limit changes.
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 177.9 miles from Mira Monte, CA, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 199.1 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 78 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.9 miles or 3h 42m 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 48m
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 Mira Monte, 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 Mira Monte, CA
This is one driving day of about 355.8 miles and 6h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Mira Monte, 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 199.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 295.5 and 355.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
295.5 mi into trip|~5h 48m in|I 580 / William Elton Brown Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / William Elton Brown Freeway toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
8
342 mi into trip|~6h 40m 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
344.4 mi into trip|~6h 43m 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
354.6 mi into trip|~6h 55m 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
355.5 mi into trip|~6h 57m in|Harrison Street
Turn right onto Harrison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.78 one way
$163.56 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$84.27
$168.54
premium
$6.18
$86.53
$173.05
diesel
$5.61
$78.56
$157.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.7
1
$37.36
$17.08
Efficient EV
89
1
$31.13
$14.23
EV Truck/SUV
142.3
1
$49.81
$22.77
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% 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
Mira Monte, CA
Morning
in Mira Monte on Saturday
Local time
11:21 AM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oakland, CA
Morning
in Oakland on Saturday
Local time
11:21 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
4 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 58m 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.
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 355.8
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 355.8
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 355.8
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 355.8
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 355.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 72% of the route utilizing major freeways like the Westside Freeway and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 199.1 miles on the Westside Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the Maricopa Highway offers a brief change of pace, the overall character of the drive is one of efficient travel on well-maintained roadways. The journey progresses with a focus on covering ground, making it a predictable experience for those comfortable with freeway driving.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 199.1 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Maricopa Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 295.5 miles in near I 580 / William Elton Brown Freeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 355.8 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 295.5 miles (I 580 / William Elton Brown Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 342 miles (I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 344.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Mira Monte, CA to Oakland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
Oakland is a port city in the Bay Area of California in the United States. Once an industrial area overshadowed by San Francisco, its larger neighbor to the west, this city of 440,000 people (2020) has begun to step out from under San Francisco's shadow with its notable natural and architectural features and its rise as the multicultural "hipster" city of the Bay Area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 58m. Total distance: 355.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 199.1 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Oakland, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 295.5 miles (I 580 / William Elton Brown Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 342 miles (I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 344.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oakland, CA before the return drive.
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.
