This straightforward 80.5-mile drive from Oakland to Woodlake in California is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 80% of the journey on main roads like CA 12, CA 4, and CA 160, making for a relatively efficient transit. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this short trip offers a practical way to travel between the Pacific Coast regions. You won't need to break up this journey, and it's ideal for a quick getaway or a necessary errand.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.2 miles from Oakland, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 80.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 80.5-mile journey, as 80% of the drive utilizes main roads. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 26.6 miles on CA 12, offering a consistent pace. The route's character is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration, with a steady flow typical of highway driving. While there are no significant changes in road type, the progression is smooth, allowing you to settle into a rhythm.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 12 and CA 4. 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 Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 16 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 Woodlake, 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 12
26.6 mi
37m
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
Woodbridge Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
CA 12
— 26.6 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, CA and Woodlake, 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 right onto CA 12
23 mi·33 min·CA 12
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the ramp onto CA 12
3.1 mi·3 min·CA 12
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward Woodbridge Road
15
Turn right onto 99 Frontage Road
0.1 mi·24 sec·99 Frontage Road
16
Turn left onto Woodbridge Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Woodbridge Road
17
Turn right
0.5 mi·3 min
18
Turn right
0.1 mi·45 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 48-minute duration and 80.5-mile distance, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best, whether it's an early start or a mid-morning departure. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, keeping your tank topped up is a simple consideration. Since there are no specific stops recommended in the data, plan to fuel up before you leave Oakland to ensure a continuous journey. The longest stretch on CA 12 is 26.6 miles, so be mindful of your fuel gauge before embarking on that segment.
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 40.2 miles from Oakland, CA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.6 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.2 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodlake, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oakland, CA
This is one driving day of about 80.5 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Oakland, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CA 12 for about 26.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.2 mi from Oakland, CA
· 48m into the drive
The midpoint is around 40.2 miles from Oakland, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Woodlake, CA
The final approach into Woodlake, 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
$18.50 one way
$37.00 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$19.07
$38.13
premium
$6.18
$19.58
$39.15
diesel
$5.61
$17.77
$35.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.45
$3.86
Efficient EV
20.1
0
$7.04
$3.22
EV Truck/SUV
32.2
0
$11.27
$5.15
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 14, 2026
Origin
Oakland, CA
Morning
in Oakland on Thursday
Local time
10:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 9:35AM PDT until April 15 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:37AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Destination
Woodlake, CA
Morning
in Woodlake on Thursday
Local time
10:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°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 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 48m 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 Woodlake, CA covers 80.5 miles and takes about 1h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 12, CA 4, CA 160. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.2 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 $18.50 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 80.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 Woodlake, CA, road signs point toward Pittsburg and Sacramento.
