This straightforward 80.8-mile drive from Modesto to Oakland, California, takes about 1 hour and 36 minutes and is perfect for a single day trip. With 96% of the journey on highways, you'll spend most of your time on the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, CA 99, and the Robert T. Monagan Freeway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $19, making it an economical option. Since there are no designated stops and the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your timing. Both Modesto and Oakland are located in the Pacific Coast region, so you won't be transitioning between drastically different landscapes.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.4 miles from Modesto, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.7 mi
34m
CA 99
14 mi
16m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi
15m
Nimitz Freeway
9.8 mi
11m
CA 120
6.8 mi
7m
Castro Valley Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
Westside Freeway
1.2 mi
1m
H Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
— 29.7 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Modesto, CA and Oakland, CA.
1
Start on 11th Street
81 ft·10 sec·11th Street
2
Turn left onto H Street
0.4 mi·1 min·H Street
3
Turn right onto 6th Street
486 ft·15 sec·6th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
5
Merge onto CA 99
14 mi·16 min·CA 99
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
7
Merge onto CA 120
6.8 mi·7 min·CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 5
1.2 mi·1 min·Westside Freeway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
14 mi·15 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
10
Continue on I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 880 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 880
9.8 mi·11 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 41AToward Oak Street, Lakeside DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Oak Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·12th Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Harrison Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·14th Street
20
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 36 minute duration, you can easily tackle this 80.8-mile trip from Modesto to Oakland in one day. Consider departing in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Oakland. With no scheduled stops and a low fuel cost of $19, you can be flexible with your timing. The longest stretch of 29.7 miles on the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway means you won't need frequent fuel breaks, but it's always wise to top off before starting. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you near your destination, as this is a common commuter route.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.4 miles from Modesto, CA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.4 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
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 Modesto, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Modesto, CA
This is one driving day of about 80.8 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Modesto, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway for about 29.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 55.5 and 80.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
55.5 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
67.1 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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
7
69.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 880 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 880 North
8
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
7
80.5 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|Harrison Street
Turn right onto Harrison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.57 one way
$37.14 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$19.14
$38.28
premium
$6.18
$19.65
$39.30
diesel
$5.61
$17.84
$35.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.48
$3.88
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.07
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.31
$5.17
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Modesto, CA
Late night
in Modesto on Sunday
Local time
12:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oakland, CA
Late night
in Oakland on Sunday
Local time
12:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Clear
N 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 2:07AM PDT until April 17 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 1:48AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
18 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
1h 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 80.8
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 80.8
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 80.8
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 80.8
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 80.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of your 80.8 miles. The route predominantly uses freeways, with a 96% highway share. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 29.7 miles on the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This segment suggests a consistent, high-speed driving experience for a significant portion of the trip. The overall character is that of efficient travel, minimizing local roads and maximizing time on major thoroughfares.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.7 mi on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway and CA 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55.5 miles in near I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.8 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 55.5 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.1 miles (I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Modesto, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 80.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.7 miles on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 55.5 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.1 miles (I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.5 miles: 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 (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Oakland, CA before heading back.
