Origin
Monterey, CA
Late night in Monterey on Tuesday
Local time
2:36 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monterey, CA to Oakland, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
111 mi
179 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monterey, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Oakland, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Monterey, CA to Oakland, CA is 111 miles and takes about 2h 11m via I 880, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip focuses on a highway-driven experience, connecting two points in California's Pacific Coast region. Expect a straightforward drive, primarily on major freeways, making it a convenient option for reaching the East Bay from the Monterey Peninsula. The relatively short duration and predictable route suggest it's well-suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.5 miles from Monterey, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Valley Freeway | 26.3 mi | 30m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| I 880 | 17 mi | 19m |
| El Camino Real | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| Cabrillo Highway | 13 mi | 14m |
| US 101 | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| CA 156 | 6.7 mi | 8m |
| Fremont Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
South Valley Freeway
— 26.3 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monterey, CA and Oakland, CA.
1
Start on West Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
West Franklin Street
2
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
3
Continue on Abrego Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Abrego Street
4
Turn left onto CA 1 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Fremont Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward CA 1 North
6
Merge onto CA 1; CA 68
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Cabrillo Highway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 1
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
Toward CA 1: Santa Cruz, San Francisco
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 156
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
CA 156
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn straight onto CA 156
490 ft
·
6 sec
·
CA 156
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 156
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
CA 156
11
Merge onto US 101; CA 156
13 mi
·
15 min
·
El Camino Real
12
Continue on US 101
26 mi
·
30 min
·
South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 388B
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 880
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
17 mi
·
19 min
·
I 880
Use the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 41A
Toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Oak Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Harrison Street
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
14th Street
23
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 11m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour traffic around the Bay Area. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before departing Monterey to minimize any stops. The longest stretch without a major exit is 26.3 miles, so plan any necessary breaks before embarking on that segment.
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 55.5 miles from Monterey, CA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.3 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.5 miles or 1h 5m 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 46m
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 Monterey, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monterey, CA
This is one driving day of about 111 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Monterey, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South Valley Freeway for about 26.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.5 miles from Monterey, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 110.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CA 1 / Cabrillo Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 1 / Cabrillo Highway toward CA 1: Santa Cruz, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CA 1: Santa Cruz, San Francisco
6
14.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
CA 156
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 156
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
72.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 880 North: Oakland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 388B
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
8
109.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m 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
110.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
Harrison Street
Turn right onto Harrison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.51 one way
$51.03 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $26.29 | $52.58 |
| premium | $6.18 | $26.99 | $53.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.51 | $49.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.65 | $5.33 |
| Efficient EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.71 | $4.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.54 | $7.10 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Oakland, CA
Late night in Oakland on Tuesday
Local time
2:36 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
2h 11m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 111
Park Closure: Hyde Street Pier Closure
Caution: Sick Birds and Wildlife, H5N1
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 111
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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 111
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument
National Monument
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 111
View on nps.gov
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
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 111
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 74% of the drive utilizing major freeways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the South Valley Freeway and I 880, which offer a consistent driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 26.3 miles on the South Valley Freeway. This highway-centric profile means you can anticipate relatively high speeds and a straightforward path, though it may lack the scenic detours of more rural routes.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.3 mi on South Valley Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Valley Freeway and Nimitz 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 near CA 1 / Cabrillo Highway.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 111 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 (CA 1 / Cabrillo Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.4 miles (CA 156): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Monterey, CA
Full guide →Founded 1770
Monterey is a city (population 28,000 in 2018) in the Monterey County area of Monterey Bay in California. Monterey is one of the more beautiful coastal cities of California, and then a historic city can make for a great two-day trip for those visiting San Francisco or a weekend getaway for California natives. It has more historic buildings in its downtown than any other city west of Santa Fe, and a world-class aquarium.
Top landmarks
- • Monterey Bay Aquarium — nonprofit public aquarium in Monterey, California
- • Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo — historic church in California, United States
- • Old Customhouse — custom house in Monterey, United States of America
Arriving in Oakland, CA
Full guide →Founded 1852
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, USA
- • Oakland Museum of California — art museum in Oakland, California
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 111 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.3 miles on South Valley 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (CA 1 / Cabrillo Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.4 miles (CA 156): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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