Origin
Oakland, CA
Afternoon in Oakland on Sunday
Local time
12:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oakland, CA to Cudahy, CA
Drive Time
7h 5m
Distance
381.5 mi
614 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$88
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 55m
★
6 AM
7h 6m
8 AM
7h 28m
10 AM
7h 14m
12 PM
7h 12m
3 PM
7h 15m
5 PM
7h 27m
8 PM
6h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oakland, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Cudahy, CA
Efrem Efre
Trip Overview
Traveling from Oakland to Cudahy covers 381.5 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 5 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused route, you can complete the journey in one day, though you should budget approximately $88 for fuel. You will primarily navigate via the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. Since both your start and end points are within the Pacific Coast region, the trip keeps you within a consistent geographical corridor. It is a straightforward, functional drive that prioritizes efficiency over coastal scenery, making it ideal if you need to reach the Los Angeles area quickly.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
190.8 miles from Oakland, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient experience, as this route is comprised of 99% highway driving. The journey is defined by a massive 224.4-mile stretch along the Westside Freeway, which accounts for the bulk of your time behind the wheel. You will find this to be a consistent interstate grind rather than a winding backroads adventure, keeping you moving at steady highway speeds for the duration. As you progress from the Bay Area toward the Los Angeles basin, the road surface remains reliable and fast-paced. Be prepared for a long, uninterrupted flow that demands focus, especially during the extended segments on the primary freeways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 224.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near 11th Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 381.5 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 0.4 miles (11th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
11th Street
Turn left onto 11th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight lanes.
8
10.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 238: Castro Valley, Stockton
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 31
Toward I 238: Castro Valley, Stockton
9
11.1 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 238: Stockton Fresno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward I 238: Stockton Fresno
8
347.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 23m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
8
372.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 52m in
|
I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Stre...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 224.4 mi | 4h |
| I 5 Truck | 83.3 mi | 1h 36m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 30.2 mi | 34m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Golden State Freeway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Castro Valley Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, CA and Cudahy, CA.
1
Start on 14th Street
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
·
14th Street
2
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Harrison Street
3
Turn left onto 11th Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
11th Street
Use the none / straight lanes.
4
Turn right onto Madison Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Madison Street
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto 5th Street
381 ft
·
8 sec
·
5th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 880 South: San Jose
Use the none lane.
7
Merge onto I 880
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 31
Toward I 238: Castro Valley, Stockton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 31
Toward I 238: Stockton Fresno
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 238
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Castro Valley Freeway
Exit 31
Toward I 238: Stockton Fresno
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on I 580
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Exit 14
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi
·
11 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
15
Merge onto I 5
224 mi
·
4 hr
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Merge onto I 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 130B
Toward I 710 South: Long Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 710
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Long Beach Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 13
Toward Firestone Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Firestone Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Firestone Boulevard
Use the right lane.
26
Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Atlantic Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Arrive at destination
Atlantic Avenue
Trip Plan
To manage the 381.5-mile distance comfortably, plan for at least two designated stops to break up the monotony of the highway. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day fatigue and potential traffic congestion near your destination. Since the longest stretch spans over 224 miles, ensure your fuel levels are topped off before committing to that section of the Westside Freeway. Keep a close eye on your odometer to track your progress between the two planned breaks, as this helps maintain a steady pace throughout the 7-hour drive. Staying flexible with your arrival time will make the overall experience much less stressful.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 190.8 miles from Oakland, CA, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 84 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.8 miles or 3h 30m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cudahy, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oakland, CA
This is one driving day of about 381.5 miles and 7h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Oakland, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 190.8 mi from Oakland, CA · 3h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
191 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 190.8 miles from Oakland, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.4 miles.
Arriving in Cudahy, CA
The final approach into Cudahy, 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 Cudahy, CA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$88.35 one way
$176.69 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $91.11 | $182.22 |
| premium | $6.24 | $93.77 | $187.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $84.76 | $169.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$88
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$113–$138
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 114.5 | 1 | $40.06 | $18.31 |
| Efficient EV | 95.4 | 1 | $33.38 | $15.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 152.6 | 1 | $53.41 | $24.42 |
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Destination
Cudahy, CA
Afternoon in Cudahy on Sunday
Local time
12:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°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
9 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 5m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Oakland, CA to Cudahy, CA covers 381.5 miles and takes about 7h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Arthur H. Breed Junior 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 190.8 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 $88.35 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 381.5 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 0.4 miles (11th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Oakland, CA to Cudahy, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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