How far is Thornton, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance from Thornton, CA to Oakland, CA is about 71.5 miles (115 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 54.5 miles (87.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PST.
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 20m.
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.
The most populous city in Contra Costa County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Oakland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Oakland.
-
1
Start on Thornton Road
1035 ft · 21 sec · Thornton Road
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2
Turn straight onto West Walnut Grove Road
1055 ft · 28 sec · West Walnut Grove Road
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3
Take the ramp sharp left
1704 ft · 42 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
7.4 mi · 8 min · Westside Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CA 12: Lodi, Fairfield
1685 ft · 32 sec
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6
Turn right
15.7 mi · 22 min
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7
Turn left
12.6 mi · 16 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on CA 4 West
1.3 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
14.6 mi · 17 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on CA 242: Oakland, Concord
4.6 mi · 5 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette, San Francisco
9.4 mi · 12 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Caldecott Tunnel
1.4 km · 1 min · Caldecott Tunnel
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14
Continue on Grove Shafter Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Grove Shafter Freeway
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15
Continue on John B. Williams Freeway
2262 ft · 30 sec · John B. Williams Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street, 14th Street
1024 ft · 25 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto Brush Street
1124 ft · 42 sec · Brush Street
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18
Turn left onto 14th Street
2503 ft · 2 min · 14th Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Oakland.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn right
15.7 mi · 00h 22m
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 Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Oakland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Oakland?
The road trip is about 71.5 miles (115 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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?
Antioch is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.9 miles from Thornton and 33.5 miles from Oakland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 54.5 miles (87.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 PST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:48 PM PST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.72 one way or $29.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Oakland.
Stop Ideas Near Antioch
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 Antioch.
Antioch–Pittsburg
Rio Vista, CA
Martinez station
Suisun–Fairfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 54.5 mi (87.71 km).
#1 Thornton
Situated at an elevation of 13 feet in San Joaquin County, this census-designated place lies within the low-lying Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.2260300, -121.4246700 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 115 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.84 | $14.72 | $29.43 |
| Mid-grade | $6.09 | $15.34 | $30.67 |
| Premium | $6.28 | $15.82 | $31.63 |
| Diesel | $8.28 | $20.87 | $41.74 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026