How far is Oakland, CA from Cottonwood, CA?
The driving distance from Oakland, CA to Cottonwood, CA is about 194.4 miles (312.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 178.3 miles (287 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Colusa County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oakland and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland and Cottonwood.
-
1
Start on 14th Street
2014 ft · 1 min · 14th Street
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2
Turn right onto Castro Street
1078 ft · 35 sec · Castro Street
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 980 East, CA 24: Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Hayward
1047 ft · 26 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto John B. Williams Freeway
1975 ft · 26 sec · John B. Williams Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 580: San Francisco, Hayward
1575 ft · 38 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 580 West: San Francisco, MacArthur Freeway
3092 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto MacArthur Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · MacArthur Freeway
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8
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Eastshore Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Eastshore Freeway
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10
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
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11
Continue on Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Linus F. Claeys Freeway
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12
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
1718 ft · 27 sec · Eastshore Freeway
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13
Continue on Carquinez Bridge
1.6 km · 1 min · Carquinez Bridge
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14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13.1 mi · 15 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
803 ft · 20 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 505 North: Winters, Redding
1 km · 1 min
-
18
Continue straight
141.9 mi · 2 hr 32 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward Bowman Road, Cottonwood
1719 ft · 33 sec
-
20
Continue on Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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21
Turn right onto 1st Street
19 m · 2 sec · 1st Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oakland and Cottonwood.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 505 North
Continue straight
142 mi · 02h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Oakland and Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Oakland to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 194.4 miles (312.8 km) and usually takes 03h 37m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Arbuckle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.2 miles from Oakland and 97.1 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 178.3 miles (287 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:44 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.95 one way or $85.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Oakland and Sunny near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Arbuckle
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Denny's
Northview Park
Pilot Travel Center
City of Colusa
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Arbuckle.
Marysville, California
Davis station
Sacramento Valley Station
Sacramento (State Capitol), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 178.35 mi (287.03 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Cottonwood
Located in Shasta County at an elevation of 433 feet, this Northern California census-designated place is situated in the northern Sacramento Valley near where Cottonwood Creek meets the Sacramento River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.3857100, -122.2808400 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-122.28084, 40.38571)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 313 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $42.95 | $85.90 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $44.58 | $89.17 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $45.89 | $91.77 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $57.71 | $115.43 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026