How far is Oakland, CA from Foster City, CA?

The driving distance from Oakland, CA to Foster City, CA is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 17 miles (27.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 11m 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
27.88 mi
00h 35m
Flight
16.98 mi
27.33 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Oakland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
16.98 mi
Kilometers
27.33 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
27.88 mi
Kilometers
44.87 km
Drive Time
00h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Foster City
Wed, Apr 22, 10:19 PM PDT
Return by in Oakland
Wed, Apr 22, 10:55 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Oakland
2026-04-22T21:43
Arrive Foster City
Wed, Apr 22, 10:19 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:36 AM to 7:36 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:18 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Oakland
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
Cherryland
CA

Census designated place

From Oakland
13.9 mi
00h 18m
To Foster City
13.9 mi
00h 18m

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
Foster City Weather
CA
Live fallback forecast
63°F
Wednesday
Using Belmont as the closest live forecast in the San Mateo County weather hub.

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oakland and Foster City.

  1. 1

    Start on 14th Street

    1058 ft · 53 sec · 14th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Harrison Street

    842 ft · 35 sec · Harrison Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 11th Street

    1141 ft · 26 sec · 11th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Madison Street

    1673 ft · 49 sec · Madison Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 5th Street

    116 m · 9 sec · 5th Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 880 South: San Jose

    1146 ft · 30 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway

    9.9 mi · 12 min · Nimitz Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    31 m · 3 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight right onto Nimitz Freeway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Nimitz Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 92 East, CA 92 West: Jackson Street, Downtown, San Mateo, Half Moon Bay

    854 ft · 11 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 92 West: San Mateo–Hayward Bridge, Half Moon Bay

    74 m · 3 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on CA 92 West: San Mateo–Hayward Bridge, Half Moon Bay

    1367 ft · 18 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    528 ft · 7 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right

    7.8 mi · 9 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Foster City Boulevard, East Hillsdale Boulevard, Third Avenue

    1013 ft · 26 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Foster City Boulevard, East Hillsdale Boulevard, Third Avenue

    124 m · 5 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto Chess Drive

    38 m · 2 sec · Chess Drive

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Foster City Boulevard

    2520 ft · 56 sec · Foster City Boulevard

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Civic Center Drive

    63 m · 9 sec · Civic Center Drive

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Civic Center Drive

    26 m · 5 sec · Civic Center Drive

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Civic Center Drive

    888 ft · 41 sec · Civic Center Drive

  24. 24

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Shell Boulevard

    95 m · 6 sec · Shell Boulevard

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Shell Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
89.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Nimitz Freeway
13.9 mi · 50%
CA 92 West
11.6 mi · 42%
Foster City Boulevard
0.75 mi · 3%
Madison Street
0.32 mi · 1%
Civic Center Drive
0.22 mi · 1%
I 880 South
0.22 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Nimitz Freeway

Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway

9.85 mi · 00h 12m

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 35m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.9 mi
17 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cherryland
00h 18m from Oakland
Leave By
7:18 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Oakland and Chance Light Rain near Foster City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Oakland to Foster City?

The road trip is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km) and usually takes 00h 35m 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?

Cherryland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.9 miles from Oakland and 13.9 miles from Foster City.

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

The direct path is about 17 miles (27.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 7:18 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.65 one way or $11.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Oakland and Chance Light Rain near Foster City.

Stop Ideas Near Cherryland

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

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

RAIL

Hayward station

1 mi away
22555 Meekland Avenue
RAIL

Oakland Coliseum station

12 mi away
700 73rd Avenue
RAIL

Fremont station

16 mi away
37260 Fremont Blvd.
BUS

Dublin-Pleasanton, California

18 mi away
5801 Owens Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and Foster City. Straight-line distance: 16.98 mi (27.33 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
Foster City

#2 Foster City

City in San Mateo County, California, United States

Population33,901
Coordinates37.5585500, -122.2710800
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Start: Oakland (-122.2708, 37.80437)
End: Foster City (-122.27108, 37.55855)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 45 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 27m
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
0.98 gal
3.72 L · about $5.65
Round trip
$11.31
1.96 gal · 7.44 L
Estimated CO2
8.7 kg one way
Round trip: 17.4 kg / 38 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $5.65 $11.31
Mid-grade $6.07 $5.94 $11.89
Premium $6.24 $6.12 $12.24
Diesel $7.57 $7.42 $14.83

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 Foster City. The current time is 21:43:21.

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.