Origin
Oakland, CA
Afternoon in Oakland on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oakland, CA to Three Rivers, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
245 mi
394 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 40m
★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 0m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oakland, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Three Rivers, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
This 245-mile drive from Oakland, CA to Three Rivers, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 53 minutes. With 99% of the route on highways, it’s a practical option for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $56. You'll be spending most of your time on major arteries like CA 99 and CA 198, with a brief stretch on the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This route offers a direct path from the Pacific Coast region into another part of California, making it an efficient way to cover ground.
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
122.5 miles from Oakland, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 245 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 99% of the drive utilizing major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 143.4 miles, primarily on CA 99, so be prepared for sustained driving. While the route is largely efficient, the character of the drive will likely shift as you transition from the urban approach in the Bay Area onto the more open stretches of the Central Valley. The final leg on CA 198 will likely offer a change of scenery as you head towards your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 143.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and CA 198. 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.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 245 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 21 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 straight lane.
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 straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward I 238: Stockton Fresno
8
65.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
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 6
Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
8
209.3 mi into trip
|
~4h in
Take the exit toward CA 198: Visalia, Sequoia National Park, Hanford, Lemoore
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 97
Toward CA 198: Visalia, Sequoia National Park,...
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 Three Rivers, CA, road signs point toward Stockton, Sonora, Fresno, Sequoia National Park, Hanford and Lemoore.
Stockton
43.4 mi in
|
~52m
|
via I 205
Sonora
58.9 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Fresno
65.2 mi in
|
~1h 17m
Sequoia National Park
209.3 mi in
|
~4h
Hanford
209.3 mi in
|
~4h
Lemoore
209.3 mi in
|
~4h
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 143.4 mi | 2h 41m |
| CA 198 | 35.1 mi | 51m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 30.2 mi | 34m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| CA 120 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Castro Valley Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Westside Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 143.4 mi, about 2h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, CA and Three Rivers, 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 straight lane.
4
Turn right onto Madison Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Madison Street
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
7
Merge onto I 880
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the 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 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 straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 580
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Exit 14
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
15
Merge onto I 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Westside Freeway
16
Take the exit
469 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CA 120 East: Manteca, Sonora
17
Continue on CA 120
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6
Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto CA 99
108 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
35 mi
·
37 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 97
Toward CA 198: Visalia, Sequoia National Park, Hanford, Lemoore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 97
Toward CA 198 East: Visalia, Sequoia National Park
23
Merge onto CA 198
35 mi
·
51 min
·
CA 198
Use the straight lane.
24
Arrive at destination
CA 198
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 53 minute duration, this drive is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave in the morning will give you ample daylight for the 245-mile journey and allow for a leisurely pace. You'll encounter one recommended stop, likely a good opportunity to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep in mind the longest stretch is over 143 miles on CA 99, so plan your breaks accordingly. The estimated fuel cost of $56 is a helpful budget consideration for this trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 122.5 miles from Oakland, CA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.4 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.5 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Three Rivers, 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 245 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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.
The longest stretch is on CA 99 for about 143.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.5 mi from Oakland, CA · 2h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122.5 miles from Oakland, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.4 miles.
Arriving in Three Rivers, CA
The final approach into Three Rivers, 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 Three Rivers, 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
$56.31 one way
$112.62 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $58.03 | $116.06 |
| premium | $6.18 | $59.58 | $119.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.09 | $108.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.5 | 0 | $25.72 | $11.76 |
| Efficient EV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.44 | $9.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98 | 1 | $34.30 | $15.68 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Three Rivers, CA
Afternoon in Three Rivers on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
81°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
14 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
4h 53m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Three Rivers, CA covers 245 miles and takes about 4h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, CA 198, 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 122.5 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 $56.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break 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 21 significant decision points across 245 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.
Between Oakland, CA and Three Rivers, CA, road signs point toward Stockton, Sonora, Fresno, Sequoia National Park, Hanford and Lemoore.
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