How far is Santa Clara, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Clara, CA to Oakland, CA is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m 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 49m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Clara and Oakland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Clara and Oakland.
-
1
Start on Lincoln Street
638 ft · 20 sec · Lincoln Street
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2
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2617 ft · 1 min · El Camino Real
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3
Turn slight right
46 m · 7 sec
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4
Turn slight right onto Lafayette Street
594 ft · 19 sec · Lafayette Street
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5
Turn left onto Harrison Street
153 m · 23 sec · Harrison Street
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6
Turn left onto Alviso Street
57 m · 4 sec · Alviso Street
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7
Continue on De La Cruz Boulevard
1.9 mi · 3 min · De La Cruz Boulevard
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8
Continue on West Trimble Road
1.2 km · 1 min · West Trimble Road
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9
Continue on East Trimble Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Trimble Road
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10
Turn right onto Montague Expressway
1.4 km · 1 min · Montague Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 880 North
1206 ft · 29 sec
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12
Keep slight left
1576 ft · 41 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
4.4 mi · 5 min · Nimitz Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
12.6 mi · 15 min · Nimitz Freeway
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15
Keep slight left
17 mi · 19 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
1226 ft · 33 sec
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17
Turn right onto Oak Street
1685 ft · 49 sec · Oak Street
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18
Turn left onto 12th Street
1523 ft · 46 sec · 12th Street
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19
Turn right onto Harrison Street
559 ft · 25 sec · Harrison Street
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20
Turn left onto 14th Street
1058 ft · 49 sec · 14th Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Clara and Oakland.
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
17 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.
Sunny leaving Santa Clara and Patchy 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 Santa Clara to Oakland?
The road trip is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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 20.4 miles from Santa Clara and 22.2 miles from Oakland.
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 7.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.71 one way or $17.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Clara and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Oakland.
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 Santa Clara and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 35.59 mi (57.27 km).
#1 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 |
#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: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.71 | $17.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $9.16 | $18.32 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $9.43 | $18.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $11.43 | $22.85 |
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.