How far is Oakland, CA from Eureka, CA?

The driving distance from Oakland, CA to Eureka, CA is about 274.8 miles (442.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 230.5 miles (371 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
274.76 mi
05h 39m
Flight
230.51 mi
370.97 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Oakland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
230.51 mi
Kilometers
370.97 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
274.76 mi
Kilometers
442.18 km
Drive Time
05h 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 05h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Eureka
Thu, Apr 23, 4:24 AM PDT
Return by in Oakland
Thu, Apr 23, 10:03 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Oakland
2026-04-22T22:44
Arrive Eureka
Thu, Apr 23, 4:24 AM PDT
Route Timing
05h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:39 AM to 1:39 PM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:42 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Oakland
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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
Willits
CA

City in California, USA

From Oakland
137.4 mi
02h 49m
To Eureka
137.3 mi
02h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph WSW
Destination
55°F
Wednesday

Scattered Rain Showers

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 14th Street

    2014 ft · 1 min · 14th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Castro Street

    1078 ft · 35 sec · Castro Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight toward I 980 East, CA 24: Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Hayward

    1047 ft · 26 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto John B. Williams Freeway

    1975 ft · 26 sec · John B. Williams Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 580: San Francisco, Hayward

    1575 ft · 38 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 580 West: San Francisco, MacArthur Freeway

    3092 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto MacArthur Freeway

    1.7 mi · 2 min · MacArthur Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Eastshore Freeway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway

    12.9 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Rafeal

    1.1 km · 54 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway

    116.3 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Redwood Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Willits Bypass

    4.5 mi · 5 min · Willits Bypass

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    1.1 km · 48 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Willits Bypass

    1236 ft · 16 sec · Willits Bypass

  15. 15

    Continue on Redwood Highway

    128.9 mi · 2 hr 38 min · Redwood Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Broadway Street

    2.9 mi · 6 min · Broadway Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West 5th Street

    3204 ft · 2 min · West 5th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto H Street

    19 m · 1 sec · H Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · H Street

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Redwood Highway
245 mi · 89%
John T. Knox Freeway
12.9 mi · 5%
Willits Bypass
5.39 mi · 2%
Eastshore Freeway
3.34 mi · 1%
Broadway Street
2.88 mi · 1%
MacArthur Freeway
1.73 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Redwood Highway

Continue on Redwood Highway

129 mi · 02h 38m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.3 mi
230.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Willits
02h 49m from Oakland
Leave By
5:42 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Oakland and Scattered Rain Showers near Eureka.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 274.8 miles (442.2 km) and usually takes 05h 39m 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?

Willits is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.4 miles from Oakland and 137.3 miles from Eureka.

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

The direct path is about 230.5 miles (371 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:42 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.96 one way or $111.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Oakland and Scattered Rain Showers near Eureka.

Stop Ideas Near Willits

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Willits, 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 Willits.

BUS

Willits, California

1 mi away
200 E. Commercial Street
BUS

Laytonville, California

32 mi away
44900 Highway 101
BUS

Ukiah, California

32 mi away
711 East Perkins Street
BUS

Leggett, California

58 mi away
69501 Highway 101 North

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and Eureka. Straight-line distance: 230.51 mi (370.97 km).

Oakland

#1 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
Eureka

#2 Eureka

City in and county seat of Humboldt County, California, United States

Population26,652
Coordinates40.8020700, -124.1636700
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: Oakland (-122.2708, 37.80437)
End: Eureka (-124.16367, 40.80207)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 442 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.7 gal
36.7 L · about $55.96
Round trip
$111.92
19.4 gal · 73.4 L
Estimated CO2
86.2 kg one way
Round trip: 172.4 kg / 380 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $55.96 $111.92
Mid-grade $6.07 $58.84 $117.68
Premium $6.24 $60.56 $121.11
Diesel $7.57 $73.40 $146.80

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 Oakland and Eureka. The current time is 22:44:45.

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.