How far is Walnut Creek, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance from Walnut Creek, CA to Oakland, CA is about 16.3 miles (26.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 38m 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 19m.
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.
City in California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Walnut Creek and Oakland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Walnut Creek and Oakland.
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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
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3
Take the exit slight right toward CA 24 West: Oakland
9.2 mi · 11 min
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4
Keep slight right to continue on Caldecott Tunnel
1.4 km · 1 min · Caldecott Tunnel
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5
Continue on Grove Shafter Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Grove Shafter Freeway
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6
Continue on John B. Williams Freeway
2262 ft · 30 sec · John B. Williams Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street, 14th Street
1024 ft · 25 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Brush Street
1124 ft · 42 sec · Brush Street
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9
Turn left onto 14th Street
2503 ft · 2 min · 14th Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Walnut Creek 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.
CA 24 West
Take the exit slight right toward CA 24 West: Oakland
9.23 mi · 00h 11m
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 Walnut Creek and Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny near Oakland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Walnut Creek to Oakland?
The road trip is about 16.3 miles (26.3 km) and usually takes 00h 19m 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?
Orinda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.2 miles from Walnut Creek and 8.2 miles from Oakland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 7:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.35 one way or $6.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Walnut Creek and Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny near Oakland.
Stop Ideas Near Orinda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
My City Hall Wedding
Alameda City Clerk's Office
Old Maple Hall
City Hall Events Office
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Orinda.
Emeryville station
Berkeley station
Oakland – Jack London Square station
Oakland Coliseum station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Walnut Creek and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 13.25 mi (21.33 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 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: 26 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $3.35 | $6.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $3.52 | $7.04 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $3.62 | $7.24 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $4.39 | $8.78 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.