Origin
Nice, CA
Late night in Nice on Tuesday
Local time
1:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nice, 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 47m
Distance
125.9 mi
203 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nice, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
Oakland, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 125.9-mile drive from Nice, CA to Oakland, CA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes. You'll primarily navigate Saint Helena Highway South and CA 29, with a portion on CA 175. The route offers a mixed driving experience, making it suitable for a single day without the need for an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, it's an economical choice for exploring the Pacific Coast region of California. This journey allows you to transition from the more rural Pacific Coast to the bustling Bay Area.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62.9 miles from Nice, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Helena Highway South | 21.7 mi | 25m |
| CA 175 | 19.7 mi | 29m |
| CA 29 | 16.7 mi | 21m |
| Calistoga Street | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| Eastshore Freeway | 14.7 mi | 17m |
| Saint Helena Highway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Broadway Street | 4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Saint Helena Highway South
— 21.7 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nice, CA and Oakland, CA.
1
Start on CA 20
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 20
2
Enter roundabout onto Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road
237 ft
·
13 sec
·
Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road
3
Continue on Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
5
Merge onto CA 29
17 mi
·
21 min
·
CA 29
6
Turn right onto CA 175
6.9 mi
·
10 min
·
CA 175
7
Turn slight right onto CA 175
13 mi
·
19 min
·
CA 175
8
Turn right onto CA 29
16 mi
·
24 min
·
Calistoga Street
9
Continue on CA 29
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
10
Turn left onto CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Saint Helena Highway
11
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
12
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Napa–Vallejo Highway
14
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Broadway Street
15
Continue on CA 29
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward CA 37, I 80: Sacramento, San Francisco
17
Merge onto CA 37
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 21A
Toward I 80: San Francisco
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 80
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Carquinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Eastshore Freeway
22
Continue on I 80
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 80
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Interstate Highway 80
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 19A
Toward MacArthur Boulevard, San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street
Use the slight right lane.
28
Turn right onto Watts Street
216 ft
·
11 sec
·
Watts Street
29
Turn right onto Peralta Street
182 ft
·
11 sec
·
Peralta Street
30
Turn left onto 35th Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
35th Street
31
Turn right onto San Pablo Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
San Pablo Avenue
32
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Junior Way
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Junior Way
33
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
34
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour and 47 minute journey, starting your drive from Nice in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Oakland without feeling rushed. With only one planned stop suggested, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before departing Nice, as the $29 estimated fuel cost is based on the entire 125.9 miles. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the changing traffic conditions as you approach the Bay Area; a little extra buffer time is always wise when heading into Oakland.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.9 miles from Nice, CA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.7 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 28 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.9 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
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 Nice, 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 Nice, CA
This is one driving day of about 125.9 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Nice, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Saint Helena Highway South for about 21.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.9 miles from Nice, 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 98.1 and 123.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
98.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 80: San Francisco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21A
Toward I 80: San Francisco
8
122.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
I 580 / Interstate Highway 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...
8
123 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
I 580 / MacArthur Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...
8
123.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward MacArthur Boulevard, San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 19A
Toward MacArthur Boulevard, San Pablo Avenue, E...
9
123.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward San Pablo Avenue, Emery Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.94 one way
$57.87 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $29.82 | $59.64 |
| premium | $6.18 | $30.62 | $61.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.80 | $55.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.22 | $6.04 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.02 | $5.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.63 | $8.06 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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
1:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
W 10 mph
0% chance
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
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
2h 47m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 117.2
View on nps.gov
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 121.5
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 104.2
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,...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$15
near mile 117.2
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 117.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive features a substantial 46% on highways, interspersed with other road types for a varied experience. You'll encounter a longest continuous stretch of 21.7 miles on Saint Helena Highway South, offering a good opportunity to settle in. The 'Mixed drive' profile suggests you'll experience a blend of faster-paced highway sections and potentially more winding or local road segments as you progress towards Oakland. This variety keeps the driving engaging, avoiding monotony.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.7 mi on Saint Helena Highway South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 98.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 125.9 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 98.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.8 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Nice, CA to Oakland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
San Francisco
96.1 mi in
|
~2h 8m
About the Cities
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 47m. Total distance: 125.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.7 miles on Saint Helena Highway South. 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 98.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.8 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (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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