How far is Menlo Park, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance from Menlo Park, CA to Oakland, CA is about 35.1 miles (56.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.7 miles (39.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
A city in Placer County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Menlo Park and Oakland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Menlo Park and Oakland.
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1
Start on the route
37 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left
12 m · 7 sec
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3
Turn left onto Merrill Street
79 m · 19 sec · Merrill Street
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4
Turn left onto Santa Cruz Avenue
94 m · 13 sec · Santa Cruz Avenue
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5
Turn left onto El Camino Real
136 m · 16 sec · El Camino Real
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6
Turn left onto Ravenswood Avenue
3139 ft · 2 min · Ravenswood Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Middlefield Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Middlefield Road
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8
Turn left onto Willow Road
1 mi · 3 min · Willow Road
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9
Continue on Willow Road
1 mi · 2 min · Willow Road
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10
Turn right onto Bayfront Expressway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Bayfront Expressway
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11
Continue on Dumbarton Bridge
6.8 mi · 9 min · Dumbarton Bridge
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12
Continue on Decoto Road
688 ft · 17 sec · Decoto Road
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13
Take the exit right toward I 880 North: Oakland
1134 ft · 29 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Nimitz Freeway
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15
Keep slight left
17 mi · 19 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
1226 ft · 33 sec
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17
Turn right onto Oak Street
1685 ft · 49 sec · Oak Street
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18
Turn left onto 12th Street
1523 ft · 46 sec · 12th Street
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19
Turn right onto Harrison Street
559 ft · 25 sec · Harrison Street
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20
Turn left onto 14th Street
1058 ft · 49 sec · 14th Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Menlo Park and Oakland.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Menlo Park and Sunny near Oakland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Menlo Park to Oakland?
The road trip is about 35.1 miles (56.5 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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 17 miles from Menlo Park and 18.1 miles from Oakland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.7 miles (39.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 4:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.15 one way or $14.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Menlo Park and Sunny near Oakland.
Stop Ideas Near Union City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Union City.
Fremont station
Hayward station
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Pleasanton, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Menlo Park and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 24.7 mi (39.75 km).
#1 Menlo Park
City at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California
| Population | 34,934 |
| Coordinates | 37.4538300, -122.1821900 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Oakland
The third most populous city in California, Oakland is a major center for business, manufacturing, and culture.
| Population | 424,891 |
| Coordinates | 37.8043700, -122.2708000 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: 14th Street (-122.270903, 37.804207)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.15 | $14.31 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $7.52 | $15.04 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $7.74 | $15.48 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $9.38 | $18.77 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.