How far is Oakland, CA from South San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Oakland, CA to South San Francisco, CA is about 18.6 miles (30 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.7 miles (20.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 59m 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 29m.
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.
The seventeenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oakland and South San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland and South San Francisco.
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1
Start on 14th Street
3224 ft · 2 min · 14th Street
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2
Turn right onto Market Street
2357 ft · 52 sec · Market Street
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3
Turn left onto West Grand Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Grand Avenue
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 80 West, I 580 East: San Francisco, Hayward, Stockton
114 m · 6 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: San Francisco
1.6 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight right onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.1 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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7
Continue on Route 80
1438 ft · 24 sec · Route 80
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8
Continue on Route 80
1.2 km · 1 min · Route 80
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9
Continue on Route 80
1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 South: San Jose
1488 ft · 25 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto James Lick Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
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12
Continue on Bayshore Freeway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Bayshore Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue
1029 ft · 27 sec
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14
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
145 m · 19 sec · Airport Boulevard
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15
Turn right
51 m · 14 sec
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Grand Avenue
49 m · 13 sec · Grand Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Airport Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oakland and South San Francisco.
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.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight right onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5.09 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Oakland and Mostly Sunny near South San Francisco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Oakland to South San Francisco?
The road trip is about 18.6 miles (30 km) and usually takes 00h 29m 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?
San Francisco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.3 miles from Oakland and 9.3 miles from South San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.7 miles (20.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 7:30 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.81 one way or $7.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Oakland and Mostly Sunny near South San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near San Francisco
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
Alameda Public Works Department
SF City Hall Photographer
My City Hall Wedding
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Francisco.
San Francisco (Civic Center), California
San Francisco (Conv Ctr), California
San Francisco (Caltrain), California
San Francisco (Shopping), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and South San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 12.77 mi (20.55 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 South San Francisco
The most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 66,558 |
| Coordinates | 37.6546600, -122.4077500 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: South San Francisco (-122.40775, 37.65466)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $3.81 | $7.62 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.00 | $8.01 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.12 | $8.24 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $4.99 | $9.99 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.