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Trip from Oakland, CA to Albany, CA

Drive Time

13m

Distance

7.9 mi

13 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

4 AM
0h 12m ★
6 AM
0h 13m
8 AM
0h 16m
10 AM
0h 14m
12 PM
0h 14m
3 PM
0h 14m
5 PM
0h 16m
8 PM
0h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Oakland, CA, CA

Oakland, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Downtown Albany, CA, CA

Albany, CA

Tori Pezzulla❤️

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a quick commute between Oakland and Albany, this 7.9-mile trip is a straightforward option that takes roughly 13 minutes to complete. You will spend the vast majority of your journey navigating the Eastshore Freeway and MacArthur Freeway before transitioning onto Buchanan Street to reach your destination. Because the travel time is so brief, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $2 for fuel should cover your needs for this excursion. Navigating entirely within the Pacific Coast region, you will find this drive to be a highly efficient way to move between these two California cities.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

3.9 miles from Oakland, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 67% of your travel time spent on major transit arteries. You can expect a fast-paced experience, highlighted by a 3.2-mile stretch along the Eastshore Freeway that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the route. While the initial leg involves high-speed freeway driving, the character of the road shifts as you exit toward Buchanan Street to complete the final few miles. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and directness over leisurely scenic exploration. Expect a consistent flow of traffic as you transition between these established metropolitan corridors.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Eastshore Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 3.2 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

58 ft 15 ft

Total Climb

57 ft

Total Descent

56 ft

Highest Point

58 ft

~2.3 mi in

Elevation Range

43 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Eastshore Freeway and MacArthur Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 7.9 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 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 980 East, CA 24: Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Hayward

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 980 East, CA 24: Walnut Creek, San Fra...
7
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the exit toward I 580: San Francisco, Hayward

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 580: San Francisco, Hayward
8
1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 West: San Francisco, MacArthur Freeway

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 West: San Francisco, MacArthur Fre...
8
6.9 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward Buchanan Street, Albany

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 13A Toward Buchanan Street, Albany
6
7.3 mi into trip | ~11m in | Buchanan Street

Turn right onto Buchanan Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

Between Oakland, CA and Albany, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco and Hayward.

San Francisco

0.6 mi in | ~1m

Hayward

0.6 mi in | ~1m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Eastshore Freeway 3.2 mi 3m
MacArthur Freeway 1.7 mi 2m
Buchanan Street 0.5 mi 1m
14th Street 0.4 mi 1m
John B. Williams Freeway 0.4 mi <1m
Castro Street 0.2 mi <1m
Marin Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
San Pablo Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Eastshore Freeway — 3.2 mi, about 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, CA and Albany, CA.

1

Start on 14th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · 14th Street
2

Turn right onto Castro Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Castro Street
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 980 East, CA 24: Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Hayward
4

Merge onto I 980

0.4 mi · 25 sec · John B. Williams Freeway
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 580: San Francisco, Hayward Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 580 West: San Francisco, MacArthur Freeway Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 580

1.7 mi · 2 min · MacArthur Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 80; I 580

3.2 mi · 3 min · Eastshore Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Exit 13A Toward Buchanan Street, Albany Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn right onto Buchanan Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Buchanan Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Continue on Marin Avenue

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Marin Avenue
Use the none lane.
12

Turn left onto CA 123

98 ft · 13 sec · San Pablo Avenue
Use the none lane.
13

Arrive at destination

CA 123

Trip Plan

Since this is a short, 13-minute drive, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should keep an eye on local traffic patterns that could impact your arrival. With zero planned stops required, you can easily complete the journey in one go without needing to worry about rest breaks or refueling mid-trip. Given the $2 fuel cost, ensure your tank is topped off before you leave to avoid unnecessary detours once you reach your destination. My best advice for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition from the Eastshore Freeway onto Buchanan Street, as the change in road speed and environment happens quite quickly.

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 3.9 miles from Oakland, CA, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.2 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 7.9 miles or 13m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 3.9 miles or 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA

This is one driving day of about 7.9 miles and 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oakland, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Eastshore Freeway for about 3.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 3.9 mi from Oakland, CA · 7m into the drive

Downtown Richmond, CA, CA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Richmond, CA

4 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

Richmond, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 7.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Richmond, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 3.9 miles from Oakland, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Albany, CA

The final approach into Albany, 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 Albany, 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

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 ~8 min detour Free near mile 7.3
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

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...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 3.8
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

National Monument

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,...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour $15 near mile 7.1
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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 7.1
View on nps.gov
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

19 mi from route ~47 min detour Free near mile 7.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$1.83 one way

$3.66 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 3 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.07 $1.89 $3.77
premium $6.24 $1.94 $3.88
diesel $5.64 $1.76 $3.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 2.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 2.4 0 $0.83 $0.38
Efficient EV 2 0 $0.69 $0.32
EV Truck/SUV 3.2 0 $1.11 $0.51

Gas CO2

3 kg

EV CO2

1 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 7 hours ago

Origin

Oakland, CA

Evening in Oakland on Sunday

Local time

5:31 PM

PDT

Current temp

61°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 12 mph 81% chance Live forecast

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 8:16AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Eureka CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 6:49AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Destination

Albany, CA

Evening in Albany on Sunday

Local time

5:31 PM

PDT

Current temp

60°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 to 14 mph 83% chance Live forecast

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 8:16AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Eureka CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 6:49AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Along the Route

46°F

Richmond, CA

4 mi in

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

13m 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 Oakland, CA to Albany, CA covers 7.9 miles and takes about 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Eastshore Freeway, MacArthur Freeway, Buchanan Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.9 miles from Oakland, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.83 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 9 significant decision points across 7.9 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 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Oakland, CA and Albany, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco and Hayward.

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