How far is Oakland, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance from Oakland, CA to San Mateo, CA is about 30.4 miles (49 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17 miles (27.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m 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 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The seventh most populous city in Alameda County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Fog then Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oakland and San Mateo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland and San Mateo.
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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
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7
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
9.9 mi · 12 min · Nimitz Freeway
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8
Keep slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
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9
Take the exit slight right
31 m · 3 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto Nimitz Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Nimitz Freeway
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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
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12
Keep slight right to continue on CA 92 West: San Mateo–Hayward Bridge, Half Moon Bay
74 m · 3 sec
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13
Continue on CA 92 West: San Mateo–Hayward Bridge, Half Moon Bay
1367 ft · 18 sec
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14
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
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15
Keep slight left
528 ft · 7 sec
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16
Keep slight right
10.1 mi · 12 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 82 : El Camino Real
993 ft · 33 sec
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18
Turn right onto South El Camino Real
1.1 mi · 3 min · South El Camino Real
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South El Camino Real
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oakland and San Mateo.
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.
CA 92 West
Keep slight right
10.1 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Widespread Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Oakland and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near San Mateo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Oakland to San Mateo?
The road trip is about 30.4 miles (49 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?
Hayward is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.2 miles from Oakland and 15.2 miles from San Mateo.
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 13.4 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 7:10 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.23 one way or $12.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Fog then Mostly Sunny around Oakland and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near San Mateo.
Stop Ideas Near Hayward
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 Hayward.
Hayward station
Oakland Coliseum station
Fremont station
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and San Mateo. Straight-line distance: 16.94 mi (27.27 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 San Mateo
The second most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 102,398 |
| Coordinates | 37.5629900, -122.3255300 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Mateo (-122.32553, 37.56299)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $6.23 | $12.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.55 | $13.10 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.74 | $13.48 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $8.17 | $16.34 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.