Skip to main content

Trip from Oakland, CA to Alta Sierra, CA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 42m

Distance

132.8 mi

214 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 32m ★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m

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

city and county seat of Alameda County, California, United States

Oakland, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Alta Sierra, CA, CA

Alta Sierra, CA

Patrick Gamelkoorn

Trip Overview

The drive from Oakland, CA to Alta Sierra, CA covers 132.8 miles and takes about 2h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Castro Street, I 980 East, John B for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.52 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

66.4 miles from Oakland, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 42m drive with frequent turns across 132.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Castro Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Oakland, CA to Alta Sierra, CA is easy. At 2h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Oakland, CA to Alta Sierra, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Castro Street Unavailable Refreshing
I 980 East Unavailable Refreshing
John B Unavailable Refreshing
I 580 Unavailable Refreshing
I 580 West Unavailable Refreshing
MacArthur Freeway Unavailable Refreshing
Eastshore Freeway Unavailable Refreshing
Linus F Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: Castro Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 14th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · 14th Street
2

Turn right onto Castro Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Castro Street
3

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

0.2 mi · 26 sec · I 980 East, CA 24: Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Hayward
4

Merge slight left onto John B. Williams Freeway

0.4 mi · 26 sec · John B. Williams Freeway
5

Take the exit slight right toward I 580: San Francisco, Hayward

0.3 mi · 38 sec · I 580: San Francisco, Hayward
6

Keep slight left to continue on I 580 West: San Francisco, MacArthur Freeway

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 580 West: San Francisco, MacArthur Freeway
7

Merge slight left onto MacArthur Freeway

1.7 mi · 2 min · MacArthur Freeway
8

Continue on Eastshore Freeway

3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
9

Keep slight left to continue on Eastshore Freeway

7.4 mi · 8 min · Eastshore Freeway
10

Continue on Eastshore Freeway

3.2 mi · 3 min · Eastshore Freeway
11

Continue on Linus F. Claeys Freeway

3.5 mi · 3 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway
12

Continue on Eastshore Freeway

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Eastshore Freeway
13

Continue on Carquinez Bridge

1.0 mi · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge
14

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

14 mi · 16 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15

Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

27 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16

Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

8.4 mi · 9 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17

Continue on Yolo Causeway

3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway
18

Keep slight right to continue on North Sacramento Beltline Freeway

13 mi · 14 min · North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
19

Keep slight left to continue on North Sacramento Beltline Freeway

0.8 mi · 55 sec · North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
20

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

7.0 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21

Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway

17 mi · 19 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
22

Take the exit slight right toward CA 49 North: Grass Valley, Placerville

0.2 mi · 31 sec · CA 49 North: Grass Valley, Placerville
23

Turn left onto Grass Valley Highway

5.8 mi · 9 min · Grass Valley Highway
24

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway

118 ft · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway
25

Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway

1.3 mi · 1 min · Grass Valley Highway
26

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway

118 ft · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway
27

Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway

1.1 mi · 1 min · Grass Valley Highway
28

Continue on State Highway 49

9.2 mi · 12 min · State Highway 49
29

Turn right onto Alta Sierra Drive

0.8 mi · 1 min · Alta Sierra Drive
30

Continue on Alta Sierra Drive

0.6 mi · 1 min · Alta Sierra Drive
31

Turn left onto Francis Drive

344 ft · 16 sec · Francis Drive
32

Turn right onto Upper Circle Drive

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Upper Circle Drive
33

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.4 miles from Oakland, CA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.

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 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 66.4 miles or 1h 21m 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 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alta Sierra, 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 132.8 miles and 2h 42m.

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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 66.4 mi from Oakland, CA · 1h 21m into the drive

city in Yolo County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Davis, CA

66 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

Sacramento, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Davis, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.4 miles from Oakland, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Alta Sierra, CA

The final approach into Alta Sierra, 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 Alta Sierra, 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

$30.52 one way

$61.05 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $31.45 $62.91
premium $6.18 $32.30 $64.59
diesel $5.61 $29.32 $58.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.8 0 $13.94 $6.37
Efficient EV 33.2 0 $11.62 $5.31
EV Truck/SUV 53.1 0 $18.59 $8.50

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

16 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 data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Oakland, CA

Late night in Oakland on Wednesday

Local time

1:40 AM

PDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alta Sierra, CA

Late night in Alta Sierra on Wednesday

Local time

1:40 AM

PDT

Current temp

59°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

8 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 42m 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 Oakland, CA to Alta Sierra, CA covers 132.8 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Castro Street, I 980 East, John B. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.4 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 $30.52 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Oakland, CA to Alta Sierra, CA is easy. At 2h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Oakland, CA to Alta Sierra, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Oakland, CA to Alta Sierra, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Oakland, CA or browse trips ending in Alta Sierra, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.

Explore maps for Oakland, CA or Alta Sierra, CA on MapSof.net.