How far is Hercules, CA from Oakland, CA?

The driving distance from Hercules, CA to Oakland, CA is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 14.7 miles (23.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
19.43 mi
00h 26m
Flight
14.73 mi
23.71 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hercules.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
14.73 mi
Kilometers
23.71 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
19.43 mi
Kilometers
31.27 km
Drive Time
00h 26m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Oakland
Wed, Apr 22, 9:18 PM PDT
Return by in Hercules
Wed, Apr 22, 9:45 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hercules
2026-04-22T20:51
Arrive Oakland
Wed, Apr 22, 9:18 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:27 AM to 7:27 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:36 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Hercules
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
El Cerrito
CA

City in Contra Costa County, California, United States

From Hercules
9.5 mi
00h 13m
To Oakland
9.9 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph WSW
Destination
65°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hercules and Oakland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hercules and Oakland.

  1. 1

    Start on Railroad Avenue

    1069 ft · 34 sec · Railroad Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Bayfront Boulevard

    1445 ft · 40 sec · Bayfront Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on John Muir Parkway

    1.2 km · 1 min · John Muir Parkway

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Oakland, Sacramento

    63 m · 5 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Oakland

    2996 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway

    14.1 mi · 16 min · Eastshore Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80

    1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway

    2783 ft · 43 sec · MacArthur Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left toward MacArthur Boulevard, San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street

    897 ft · 14 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street

    637 ft · 12 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Watts Street

    66 m · 12 sec · Watts Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Peralta Street

    56 m · 12 sec · Peralta Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 35th Street

    886 ft · 23 sec · 35th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto San Pablo Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · San Pablo Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Junior Way

    1758 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Junior Way

  16. 16

    Turn left onto 14th Street

    1636 ft · 1 min · 14th Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hercules and Oakland.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
87.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Eastshore Freeway
14.1 mi · 72%
San Pablo Avenue
1.25 mi · 6%
John Muir Parkway
0.71 mi · 4%
I 80 West
0.57 mi · 3%
MacArthur Freeway
0.53 mi · 3%
Martin Luther King Junior Way
0.33 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Eastshore Freeway

Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway

14.1 mi · 00h 16m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 26m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.7 mi
14.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
El Cerrito
00h 13m from Hercules
Leave By
7:36 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Hercules and Chance Light Rain near Oakland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hercules to Oakland?

The road trip is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km) and usually takes 00h 26m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

El Cerrito is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.5 miles from Hercules and 9.9 miles from Oakland.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 14.7 miles (23.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:36 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.98 one way or $7.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Hercules and Chance Light Rain near Oakland.

Stop Ideas Near El Cerrito

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around El Cerrito and the surrounding midpoint area.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
Practical stop 11.7 mi away

San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer

San Francisco , CA
3365 Sacramento St #435, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States
Rating 5.0/5 21 reviews Wedding photographer,Photographer,Wedding service
Alameda Public Works Department
Meeting point 9.4 mi away

Alameda Public Works Department

Alameda , CA
950 W Mall Square, Alameda, CA 94501, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Home and construction
Old Berkeley City Hall
Nearby stop 4.4 mi away

Old Berkeley City Hall

Berkeley , CA
2134 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley, CA 94703, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Civic center
My City Hall Wedding
Practical stop 11 mi away

My City Hall Wedding

San Francisco , CA
1480 Sutter St #302, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
Rating 5.0/5 8 reviews Wedding photographer,Wedding planner,Wedding service,Wedding store

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to El Cerrito.

RAIL

Richmond station

4 mi away
1700 Nevin Avenue
RAIL

Berkeley station

5 mi away
University Ave. and Third St.
RAIL

Emeryville station

9 mi away
5885 Horton Street
RAIL

Oakland – Jack London Square station

14 mi away
245 Second Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hercules and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 14.73 mi (23.71 km).

Hercules

#1 Hercules

City in western Contra Costa County, California

Population26,221
Coordinates38.0171400, -122.2885800
Altitude24
CountryUnited States
Oakland

#2 Oakland

The third most populous city in California, Oakland is a major center for business, manufacturing, and culture.

Population424,891
Coordinates37.8043700, -122.2708000
Altitude13
CountryUnited States
Start: Railroad Avenue (-122.288648, 38.01726)
End: 14th Street (-122.270903, 37.804207)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 31 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.69 gal
2.6 L · about $3.98
Round trip
$7.96
1.38 gal · 5.2 L
Estimated CO2
6.1 kg one way
Round trip: 12.3 kg / 27 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $3.98 $7.96
Mid-grade $6.07 $4.19 $8.37
Premium $6.24 $4.31 $8.62
Diesel $7.57 $5.22 $10.44

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in California · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Hercules and Oakland. The current time is 20:51:14.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.