This straightforward 53.2-mile drive from Oakland to Rio Vista, California, can be completed in about 1 hour and 6 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. Primarily utilizing CA 4 and CA 160, with a stretch through the Caldecott Tunnel, the route offers a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this journey is budget-friendly for a quick excursion. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for both your departure and arrival. Given the short duration and minimal stops suggested, this trip is easily manageable in a single day without needing an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 53.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 72% of the journey on faster roads. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 15 miles on CA 4, offering a consistent pace. As you transition to CA 160, the road may present a different feel, but the overall profile leans towards efficient travel. The Caldecott Tunnel marks a notable point in the route, likely involving a brief slowdown before rejoining the open road. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes covering ground efficiently rather than extensive scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 15 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 4 and CA 160. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.6 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles (CA 242): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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...
5
15.6 mi into trip|~19m in|I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Merge onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
19.4 mi into trip|~24m in|CA 242
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242 toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 50
Toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
5
23.3 mi into trip|~28m in|CA 4
Merge onto CA 4
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
38.3 mi into trip|~45m in|CA 160
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160 toward CA 160: Rio Vista, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30
Toward CA 160: Rio Vista, Sacramento
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oakland, CA and Rio Vista, CA, road signs point toward Pittsburg and Sacramento.
Pittsburg
19.4 mi in|~24m|via CA 242
Sacramento
38.3 mi in|~45m|via CA 160
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 4
15 mi
17m
CA 160
13.6 mi
18m
Caldecott Tunnel
9.8 mi
11m
Grove Shafter Freeway
4.6 mi
5m
CA 242
3.9 mi
4m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
3.8 mi
4m
CA 12
0.8 mi
1m
North Front Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
CA 4
— 15 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, CA and Rio Vista, 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
Continue on I 980
4.5 mi·5 min·Grove Shafter Freeway
Toward CA 24: Berkeley, Walnut CreekUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 24
0.2 mi·13 sec·Grove Shafter Freeway
7
Continue on CA 24
9.8 mi·11 min·Caldecott Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 680
3.8 mi·4 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242
3.9 mi·4 min·CA 242
Exit 50Toward CA 242 North: Concord, PittsburgUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto CA 4
15 mi·17 min·CA 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 160
14 mi·18 min·CA 160
Exit 30Toward CA 160: Rio Vista, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto CA 12
0.8 mi·1 min·CA 12
13
Take the exit
242 ft·6 sec
14
Turn slight right onto CA 84
514 ft·12 sec·River Road
15
Turn right onto North Front Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Front Street
16
Turn right
90 ft·6 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.6 mi from Oakland, CA
· 32m into the drive
The midpoint is around 26.6 miles from Oakland, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Rio Vista, CA
The final approach into Rio Vista, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.23 one way
$24.46 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg19 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$12.60
$25.20
premium
$6.18
$12.94
$25.88
diesel
$5.61
$11.75
$23.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
16
0
$5.59
$2.55
Efficient EV
13.3
0
$4.66
$2.13
EV Truck/SUV
21.3
0
$7.45
$3.40
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Oakland, CA
Late night
in Oakland on Saturday
Local time
12:27 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
NNW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:28PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:28PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Rio Vista, CA
Late night
in Rio Vista on Saturday
Local time
12:27 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Lafayette, CA
27 mi in
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
5 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
1h 6m 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 Rio Vista, CA covers 53.2 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 4, CA 160, Caldecott Tunnel. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.6 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 $12.23 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.6 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles (CA 242): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Oakland, CA and Rio Vista, CA, road signs point toward Pittsburg and Sacramento.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
