How far is Mill Valley, CA from Oakland, CA?

The driving distance from Mill Valley, CA to Oakland, CA is about 26.8 miles (43.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 16.5 miles (26.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m 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
26.84 mi
00h 39m
Flight
16.52 mi
26.59 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mill Valley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
16.52 mi
Kilometers
26.59 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
26.84 mi
Kilometers
43.19 km
Drive Time
00h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Oakland
Thu, Apr 23, 1:04 AM PDT
Return by in Mill Valley
Thu, Apr 23, 1:43 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mill Valley
2026-04-23T00:24
Arrive Oakland
Thu, Apr 23, 1:04 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:40 AM to 7:40 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:10 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Mill Valley
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
Richmond
CA

The most populous city in Contra Costa County, California.

From Mill Valley
12.6 mi
00h 19m
To Oakland
14.2 mi
00h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph WNW
Destination
70°F
Thursday

Patchy Fog then Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 8 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mill Valley and Oakland.

  1. 1

    Start on Sunnyside Avenue

    76 m · 10 sec · Sunnyside Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Hill Street

    90 m · 11 sec · Hill Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Blithedale Avenue

    1.8 mi · 5 min · East Blithedale Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 North: Eureka

    1197 ft · 20 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Redwood Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward San Anselmo, Richmond Bridge

    845 ft · 21 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 101 North: Richmond Bridge

    724 ft · 18 sec

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto Richmond Bridge

    82 m · 6 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard East

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Sir Francis Drake Boulevard East

  10. 10

    Take the ramp straight toward I 580 East

    1740 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto John T. Knox Freeway

    11.6 mi · 14 min · John T. Knox Freeway

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway

    3.8 mi · 5 min · Eastshore Freeway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80

    1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Freeway

    2783 ft · 43 sec · MacArthur Freeway

  15. 15

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

    897 ft · 14 sec

  16. 16

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

    637 ft · 12 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Watts Street

    66 m · 12 sec · Watts Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Peralta Street

    56 m · 12 sec · Peralta Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 35th Street

    886 ft · 23 sec · 35th Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto San Pablo Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · San Pablo Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Junior Way

    1758 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Junior Way

  22. 22

    Turn left onto 14th Street

    1636 ft · 1 min · 14th Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mill Valley 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
23 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
85.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John T. Knox Freeway
11.6 mi · 43%
Eastshore Freeway
3.76 mi · 14%
Redwood Highway
2.62 mi · 10%
East Blithedale Avenue
1.79 mi · 7%
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard East
1.35 mi · 5%
San Pablo Avenue
1.25 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

John T. Knox Freeway

Merge slight left onto John T. Knox Freeway

11.6 mi · 00h 15m

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 39m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.3 mi
16.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Richmond
00h 19m from Mill Valley
Leave By
7:10 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Mill Valley and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Oakland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mill Valley to Oakland?

The road trip is about 26.8 miles (43.2 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?

Richmond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.6 miles from Mill Valley and 14.2 miles from Oakland.

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

The direct path is about 16.5 miles (26.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 7:10 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.48 one way or $10.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mill Valley and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Oakland.

Stop Ideas Near Richmond

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 Richmond and the surrounding midpoint area.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
Practical stop 10.3 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 10.8 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
SF City Hall Photo
Nearby stop 13.3 mi away

SF City Hall Photo

San Francisco , CA
30 Patton St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
Rating 4.9/5 47 reviews Photographer,Wedding photographer
My City Hall Wedding
Practical stop 10 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 Richmond.

RAIL

Richmond station

1700 Nevin Avenue
RAIL

Berkeley station

9 mi away
University Ave. and Third St.
RAIL

Emeryville station

12 mi away
5885 Horton Street
BUS

San Francisco (Wharf), California

15 mi away
Beach St. & The Embarcadero

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mill Valley and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 16.52 mi (26.59 km).

Mill Valley

#1 Mill Valley

City in Marin County, California, United States

Population14,323
Coordinates37.9060400, -122.5449800
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: Sunnyside Avenue (-122.544979, 37.906102)
End: 14th Street (-122.270903, 37.804207)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 43 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.95 gal
3.58 L · about $5.48
Round trip
$10.96
1.9 gal · 7.16 L
Estimated CO2
8.4 kg one way
Round trip: 16.9 kg / 37 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $5.48 $10.96
Mid-grade $6.07 $5.76 $11.53
Premium $6.24 $5.93 $11.86
Diesel $7.57 $7.19 $14.38

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 Mill Valley and Oakland. The current time is 00:24:15.

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.