How far is Oakland, CA from Kensington, CA?
The driving distance from Oakland, CA to Kensington, CA is about 11.6 miles (18.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 7.3 miles (11.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 20m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Alameda County, California, United States
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 Kensington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland and Kensington.
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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
1.5 km · 1 min · Eastshore Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Central Avenue, El Cerrito
1064 ft · 32 sec
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11
Turn right onto Central Avenue
2088 ft · 1 min · Central Avenue
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12
Turn left onto San Pablo Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · San Pablo Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Moeser Lane
1.3 mi · 3 min · Moeser Lane
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14
Turn right onto Arlington Boulevard
989 ft · 20 sec · Arlington Boulevard
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15
Continue on Arlington Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Arlington Avenue
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16
Continue on Arlington Avenue
105 m · 12 sec · Arlington Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Arlington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oakland and Kensington.
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.
Eastshore Freeway
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.34 mi · 00h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Oakland and Sunny near Kensington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Oakland to Kensington?
The road trip is about 11.6 miles (18.6 km) and usually takes 00h 20m 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?
Albany is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.8 miles from Oakland and 5.8 miles from Kensington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 7.3 miles (11.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 7:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.57 one way or $5.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Oakland and Sunny near Kensington.
Stop Ideas Near Albany
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
Alameda Public Works Department
Old Berkeley City Hall
My City Hall Wedding
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Albany.
Berkeley station
Emeryville station
Richmond station
Oakland – Jack London Square station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and Kensington. Straight-line distance: 7.35 mi (11.83 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 Kensington
Positioned in the Berkeley Hills of Contra Costa County at an average elevation of 581 feet, this unincorporated area borders Tilden Regional Park and the city of Berkeley.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.9104800, -122.2802500 |
| Altitude | 177 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kensington (-122.28025, 37.91048)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 19 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $2.57 | $5.13 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $2.66 | $5.33 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $2.74 | $5.48 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $3.45 | $6.90 |
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