How far is Oakland, CA from Palo Alto, CA?
The driving distance from Oakland, CA to Palo Alto, CA is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26 miles (41.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Placer County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oakland and Palo Alto.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland and Palo Alto.
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1
Start on 14th Street
1058 ft · 53 sec · 14th Street
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2
Turn right onto Harrison Street
842 ft · 35 sec · Harrison Street
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3
Turn left onto 11th Street
1141 ft · 26 sec · 11th Street
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4
Turn right onto Madison Street
1673 ft · 49 sec · Madison Street
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5
Turn left onto 5th Street
116 m · 9 sec · 5th Street
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 880 South: San Jose
1146 ft · 30 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
9.9 mi · 12 min · Nimitz Freeway
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8
Keep slight left
5.6 mi · 6 min
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9
Keep slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Nimitz Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84 West
1221 ft · 30 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on CA 84 West: Dumbarton Bridge
1092 ft · 27 sec
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13
Continue straight
1.3 km · 56 sec
-
14
Keep slight right
7.4 mi · 10 min
-
15
Turn left onto Willow Road
1 mi · 2 min · Willow Road
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16
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1127 ft · 30 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Bayshore Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Embarcadero Road, Oregon Expressway
799 ft · 19 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Stanford University, Embarcadero Road West
1096 ft · 27 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Embarcadero Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Embarcadero Road
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21
Turn sharp left onto Middlefield Road
30 m · 3 sec · Middlefield Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Middlefield Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oakland and Palo Alto.
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.
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.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Oakland and Mostly Sunny near Palo Alto.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Oakland to Palo Alto?
The road trip is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km) and usually takes 00h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Union City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.3 miles from Oakland and 17.3 miles from Palo Alto.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26 miles (41.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.04 one way or $14.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny around Oakland and Mostly Sunny near Palo Alto.
Stop Ideas Near Union City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Union City.
Fremont station
Hayward station
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Pleasanton, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and Palo Alto. Straight-line distance: 26 mi (41.85 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 Palo Alto
The most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 67,008 |
| Coordinates | 37.4418800, -122.1430200 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palo Alto (-122.14302, 37.44188)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.04 | $14.08 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $7.40 | $14.80 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $7.62 | $15.23 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $9.23 | $18.46 |
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 · May 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.