How far is San Carlos, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance from San Carlos, CA to Oakland, CA is about 32.7 miles (52.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.6 miles (33.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 20m 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 40m.
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.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Carlos and Oakland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Carlos and Oakland.
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1
Start on San Carlos Avenue
93 m · 10 sec · San Carlos Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Laurel Street
638 ft · 32 sec · Laurel Street
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3
Turn right onto Holly Street
3115 ft · 2 min · Holly Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 North: San Francisco
1106 ft · 27 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North
1784 ft · 46 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Bayshore Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 92 West, CA 92 East: Half Moon Bay, Hayward, San Mateo Bridge
650 ft · 14 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on CA 92 East: Hayward, San Mateo Bridge
1683 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto J Arthur Younger Freeway
11.8 mi · 14 min · J Arthur Younger Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 880: Oakland, San Jose, Hesperian Boulevard
1112 ft · 15 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 880: Oakland, San Jose
3241 ft · 43 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 880 North, CA 92 East: Oakland, Downtown Hayward
1127 ft · 15 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 880 North: Oakland
1513 ft · 22 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
14 mi · 16 min · Nimitz Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
1226 ft · 33 sec
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16
Turn right onto Oak Street
1685 ft · 49 sec · Oak Street
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17
Turn left onto 12th Street
1523 ft · 46 sec · 12th Street
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18
Turn right onto Harrison Street
559 ft · 25 sec · Harrison Street
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19
Turn left onto 14th Street
1058 ft · 49 sec · 14th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Carlos and Oakland.
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
14 mi · 00h 16m
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 San Carlos and Areas Of Fog then Sunny near Oakland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Carlos to Oakland?
The road trip is about 32.7 miles (52.7 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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 16.3 miles from San Carlos and 16.4 miles from Oakland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.6 miles (33.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.1 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 $6.63 one way or $13.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Carlos and Areas Of Fog then Sunny near Oakland.
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 San Carlos and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 20.54 mi (33.06 km).
#1 San Carlos
City in San Mateo County, California, USA
| Population | 29,641 |
| Coordinates | 37.5071600, -122.2605200 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: 14th Street (-122.270903, 37.804207)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $6.63 | $13.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.98 | $13.95 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $7.18 | $14.36 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $8.70 | $17.40 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.