Glen Avon to Oakland is 414.2 miles and takes about 7h 43m via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region on its journey north. With 98% highway driving, expect a consistent pace for most of the 7 hours and 43 minutes. It's a straightforward trip, primarily on main freeways, making it a good option for a single-day drive if you're looking to get from Southern California to the Bay Area efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
207.1 miles from Glen Avon, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
225.6 mi
4h 1m
Foothill Freeway
43.9 mi
50m
I 5 Truck
37.1 mi
42m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.6 mi
34m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Pomona Freeway
13.3 mi
15m
Nimitz Freeway
9.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 162 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,824 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,650
Quietest
2 AM
~367 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glen Avon, CA and Oakland, CA.
1
Start on CA 60 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·Mission Boulevard
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward CA 60 WestUse the left lane.
3
Merge onto CA 60
13 mi·15 min·Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 29BToward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, PomonaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 71 North: PomonaUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto CA 71
3.5 mi·4 min·Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward CA 57 North
9
Continue on CA 57
3.4 mi·3 min·CA 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 25CToward I 210 West: Pasadena
11
Merge onto I 210
18 mi·21 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
26 mi·29 min·Foothill Freeway
Exit 26AToward I 210 West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.0 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·17 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi·1 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
20
Merge onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 238
2.4 mi·2 min·Castro Valley Freeway
Exit 34Toward I 238Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 880 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 880
9.8 mi·11 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 41AToward Oak Street, Lakeside DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Oak Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·12th Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Harrison Street
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·14th Street
30
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 43-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Glen Avon to avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach the Bay Area. With 2 planned stops, you can break up the 414.2 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch is over 225 miles on the Westside Freeway, so ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on that portion. Budgeting around $56 for fuel is a good estimate, but always check current prices. Given the relatively short duration for a single-day trip, you have flexibility in timing your breaks.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 207.1 miles from Glen Avon, CA, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 91 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207.1 miles or 3h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakland, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Glen Avon, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Glen Avon, CA
This is one driving day of about 414.2 miles and 7h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Glen Avon, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 225.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 413 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.6 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward CA 60 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 60 West
8
15.2 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 29B
Toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
8
43.2 mi into trip|~54m in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
8
400.4 mi into trip|~7h 26m in|I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway toward I 238
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward I 238
8
413 mi into trip|~7h 40m in
Take the exit toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 41A
Toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$100.21 one way
$200.41 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$103.37
$206.74
premium
$6.50
$105.93
$211.86
diesel
$6.28
$102.34
$204.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$100
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$125–$150
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.3
1
$43.49
$19.88
Efficient EV
103.6
1
$36.24
$16.57
EV Truck/SUV
165.7
2
$57.99
$26.51
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Glen Avon, CA
Afternoon
in Glen Avon on Friday
Local time
2:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 22 at 5:08AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 22 at 4:55AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Oakland, CA
Afternoon
in Oakland on Friday
Local time
2:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Chance Light Rain
NE 1 mph57% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 22 at 5:08AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 22 at 4:55AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 43m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 414.2
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 414.2
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 414.2
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$15
near mile 414.2
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 414.2
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 71.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 414.2 miles on main roads. You'll be on the Westside Freeway for a longest stretch of 225.6 miles before transitioning to other routes. Expect continuous cruising with frequent exits and merges as you navigate through different urban and suburban areas. The profile is mostly highway, so plan for extended periods of high-speed travel.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225.6 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 414.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.2 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,126 ft43 ft
Total Climb
3,140 ft
Total Descent
3,855 ft
Highest Point
3,126 ft
~118.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,083 ft
Notable High Points
3,126 ft at ~118.8 miles+846 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Glen Avon, CA to Oakland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
Oakland is a port city in the Bay Area of California in the United States. Once an industrial area overshadowed by San Francisco, its larger neighbor to the west, this city of 440,000 people (2020) has begun to step out from under San Francisco's shadow with its notable natural and architectural features and its rise as the multicultural "hipster" city of the Bay Area.
Top landmarks
•San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge — suspension bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, California, USA
•Lake Merritt — lagoon in Oakland, California, United States
•Oakland Museum of California — art museum in Oakland, California
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 43m. Total distance: 414.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 225.6 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Oakland, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.2 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oakland, CA before the return drive.
