How far is Walnut Creek, CA from Lafayette, CA?
The driving distance from Walnut Creek, CA to Lafayette, CA is about 4.7 miles (7.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 3.2 miles (5.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 17m 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 08m.
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.
Census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Clear
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Walnut Creek and Lafayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Walnut Creek and Lafayette.
-
1
Start on North Main Street
29 m · 5 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Ygnacio Valley Road
2252 ft · 1 min · Ygnacio Valley Road
-
3
Take the exit slight right toward CA 24 West: Oakland
3 mi · 4 min
-
4
Take the exit slight right toward Central Lafayette, Moraga, Rheem Saint Marys College
1859 ft · 49 sec
-
5
Turn right onto Deer Hill Road
124 m · 13 sec · Deer Hill Road
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6
Turn right onto 1st Street
1158 ft · 45 sec · 1st Street
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7
Turn right onto Mount Diablo Boulevard
681 ft · 21 sec · Mount Diablo Boulevard
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8
Turn left onto Moraga Road
2306 ft · 58 sec · Moraga Road
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9
Turn left onto Saint Mary's Road
13 m · 1 sec · Saint Mary's Road
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Saint Mary's Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Walnut Creek and Lafayette.
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.
CA 24 West
Take the exit slight right toward CA 24 West: Oakland
3 mi · 00h 04m
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.
Clear leaving Walnut Creek and Sunny near Lafayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Walnut Creek to Lafayette?
The road trip is about 4.7 miles (7.5 km) and usually takes 00h 08m 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?
Waldon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 2.4 miles from Walnut Creek and 2.4 miles from Lafayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 3.2 miles (5.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:12 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.00 one way or $2.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Walnut Creek and Sunny near Lafayette.
Stop Ideas Near Waldon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Alameda City Clerk's Office
Old Maple Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Waldon.
Martinez station
Berkeley station
Emeryville station
Oakland Coliseum station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Walnut Creek and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 3.22 mi (5.19 km).
#1 Walnut Creek
The fifth most populous city in Contra Costa County, California.
| Population | 69,936 |
| Coordinates | 37.9063100, -122.0649600 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lafayette
City in California
| Population | 25,992 |
| Coordinates | 37.8857600, -122.1180200 |
| Altitude | 94 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lafayette (-122.11802, 37.88576)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 8 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $1.04 | $2.08 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $1.07 | $2.14 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $1.35 | $2.69 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026