How far is Oakland, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance from Oakland, CA to Santa Clara, CA is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
A city in Placer County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oakland and Santa Clara.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland and Santa Clara.
-
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
5.6 mi · 6 min
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9
Keep slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
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10
Keep slight left
16.3 mi · 19 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward Montague Expressway
760 ft · 19 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Montague Expressway West
1370 ft · 33 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Montague Expressway
1 km · 1 min · Montague Expressway
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14
Turn left onto East Trimble Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Trimble Road
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15
Continue on West Trimble Road
1.3 km · 1 min · West Trimble Road
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16
Continue on De La Cruz Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · De La Cruz Boulevard
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17
Keep slight right to continue on De La Cruz Boulevard
1241 ft · 21 sec · De La Cruz Boulevard
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18
Turn slight right onto Civic Center, El Camino Real
721 ft · 28 sec
-
19
Turn left onto El Camino Real
3163 ft · 1 min · El Camino Real
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20
Turn right onto Lincoln Street
643 ft · 18 sec · Lincoln Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oakland and Santa Clara.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Nimitz Freeway
Keep slight left
16.3 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Oakland and Sunny near Santa Clara.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Oakland to Santa Clara?
The road trip is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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 20.3 miles from Oakland and 20.2 miles from Santa Clara.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:44 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.25 one way or $16.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Oakland and Sunny near Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara. Straight-line distance: 35.59 mi (57.27 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 Santa Clara
The third most populous city in Santa Clara County, California.
| Population | 131,055 |
| Coordinates | 37.3541100, -121.9552400 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Clara (-121.95524, 37.35411)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 65 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.25 | $16.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.67 | $17.35 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.93 | $17.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.82 | $21.64 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.