How far is Los Altos, CA from Oakland, CA?

The driving distance from Los Altos, CA to Oakland, CA is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
38.28 mi
00h 51m
Flight
30.2 mi
48.61 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Los Altos.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.2 mi
Kilometers
48.61 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
38.28 mi
Kilometers
61.61 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Oakland
Wed, Apr 22, 11:49 PM PDT
Return by in Los Altos
Thu, Apr 23, 12:40 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Los Altos
2026-04-22T22:58
Arrive Oakland
Wed, Apr 22, 11:49 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:48 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Los Altos
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Union City
CA

A city in Placer County, California.

From Los Altos
19.4 mi
00h 25m
To Oakland
18.9 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 to 9 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 Los Altos and Oakland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Los Altos and Oakland.

  1. 1

    Start on North San Antonio Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North San Antonio Road

  2. 2

    Continue on San Antonio Road

    2.1 mi · 5 min · San Antonio Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 North: San Francisco

    2203 ft · 56 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway

    3.6 mi · 4 min · Bayshore Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road

    1287 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Willow Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Willow Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Bayfront Expressway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Bayfront Expressway

  8. 8

    Continue on Dumbarton Bridge

    6.8 mi · 9 min · Dumbarton Bridge

  9. 9

    Continue on Decoto Road

    688 ft · 17 sec · Decoto Road

  10. 10

    Take the exit right toward I 880 North: Oakland

    1134 ft · 29 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Nimitz Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    17 mi · 19 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive

    1226 ft · 33 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Oak Street

    1685 ft · 49 sec · Oak Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 12th Street

    1523 ft · 46 sec · 12th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Harrison Street

    559 ft · 25 sec · Harrison Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 14th Street

    1058 ft · 49 sec · 14th Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
47 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Nimitz Freeway
20.5 mi · 54%
Dumbarton Bridge
6.82 mi · 18%
Bayshore Freeway
3.62 mi · 9%
San Antonio Road
2.08 mi · 5%
Bayfront Expressway
1.61 mi · 4%
Willow Road
1.12 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Nimitz Freeway

Keep slight left

17 mi · 00h 19m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.1 mi
30.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Union City
00h 25m from Los Altos
Leave By
4:48 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Los Altos 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 Los Altos to Oakland?

The road trip is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km) and usually takes 00h 51m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Union City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.4 miles from Los Altos and 18.9 miles from Oakland.

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

The direct path is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:48 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.79 one way or $15.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Union City

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Union City, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Union City.

RAIL

Fremont station

8 mi away
37260 Fremont Blvd.
RAIL

Hayward station

8 mi away
22555 Meekland Avenue
BUS

Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California

15 mi away
999 Upper Mission Blvd
RAIL

Pleasanton, CA

19 mi away
4950 Pleasanton Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Los Altos and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 30.2 mi (48.61 km).

Los Altos

#1 Los Altos

City in Santa Clara County, California, United States

Population30,281
Coordinates37.3852200, -122.1141300
Altitude48
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: North San Antonio Road (-122.11411, 37.38522)
End: 14th Street (-122.270903, 37.804207)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 62 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.35 gal
5.11 L · about $7.79
Round trip
$15.58
2.7 gal · 10.22 L
Estimated CO2
12 kg one way
Round trip: 24 kg / 53 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $7.79 $15.58
Mid-grade $6.07 $8.19 $16.38
Premium $6.24 $8.43 $16.86
Diesel $7.57 $10.22 $20.43

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 Los Altos and Oakland. The current time is 22:58:06.

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.