How far is Santa Cruz, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Cruz, CA to Oakland, CA is about 70.3 miles (113.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 58.8 miles (94.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 31m 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 01h 15m.
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 Santa Clara County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Cruz and Oakland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Cruz and Oakland.
-
1
Start on the route
16 m · 7 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Chestnut Street
32 m · 2 sec · Chestnut Street
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3
Keep slight left to continue on Chestnut Street Extension
943 ft · 21 sec · Chestnut Street Extension
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4
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Cabrillo Highway
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5
Take the exit slight left toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland
1133 ft · 24 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
26.5 mi · 35 min · Santa Cruz Highway
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7
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 13 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
12.6 mi · 15 min · Nimitz Freeway
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9
Keep slight left
17 mi · 19 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
1226 ft · 33 sec
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11
Turn right onto Oak Street
1685 ft · 49 sec · Oak Street
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12
Turn left onto 12th Street
1523 ft · 46 sec · 12th Street
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13
Turn right onto Harrison Street
559 ft · 25 sec · Harrison Street
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14
Turn left onto 14th Street
1058 ft · 49 sec · 14th Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Cruz 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.
Santa Cruz Highway
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
26.5 mi · 00h 35m
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.
Slight Chance Light Rain leaving Santa Cruz and Chance Light Rain near Oakland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Cruz to Oakland?
The road trip is about 70.3 miles (113.1 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?
Milpitas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.1 miles from Santa Cruz and 35.2 miles from Oakland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 58.8 miles (94.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 3:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.31 one way or $28.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain around Santa Cruz and Chance Light Rain near Oakland.
Stop Ideas Near Milpitas
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 Milpitas.
Santa Clara – Great America station
Santa Clara station
San Jose Diridon station
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Cruz and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 58.86 mi (94.72 km).
#1 Santa Cruz
The most populous city in Santa Cruz County, California.
| Population | 64,317 |
| Coordinates | 36.9741200, -122.0308000 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| 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: 113 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $14.31 | $28.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $15.04 | $30.09 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $15.48 | $30.97 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $18.77 | $37.53 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.