Traveling from Oakland to Auburn covers 113.6 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip within the Pacific Coast region, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the journey. You will navigate a mix of major arteries, including the Eastshore Freeway, the Alan S. Hart Freeway, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This route offers a straightforward transition from the Bay Area to the foothills, making it a very manageable drive for a day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.8 miles from Oakland, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
57.2 mi
1h 6m
Alan S. Hart Freeway
16.6 mi
19m
Eastshore Freeway
14.3 mi
16m
North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
13.3 mi
15m
Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi
4m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.5 mi
3m
MacArthur Freeway
1.7 mi
2m
Carquinez Bridge
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 57.2 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, CA and Auburn, CA.
1
Start on 14th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
2
Turn right onto Castro Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Castro Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 980 East, CA 24: Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Hayward
4
Merge onto I 980
0.4 mi·25 sec·John B. Williams Freeway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 580: San Francisco, HaywardUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 West: San Francisco, MacArthur FreewayUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 580
1.7 mi·2 min·MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 80; I 580
3.3 mi·4 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
7.4 mi·8 min·Eastshore Freeway
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 80
3.2 mi·3 min·Eastshore Freeway
Exit 21Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on I 80
3.5 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·26 sec·Eastshore Freeway
13
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
14
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
13 mi·14 min·North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Toward I 80 East: RenoUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
0.8 mi·55 sec·North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 80
7.0 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 80
17 mi·19 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
349 ft·8 sec
Exit 119AToward Maple StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto Maple Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Maple Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right
75 ft·6 sec
25
Turn right
183 ft·13 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 113.6-mile drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing a rigid multi-day itinerary. While there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination, keeping an eye on the traffic flow along the Eastshore Freeway and Alan S. Hart Freeway is essential for a smooth arrival. Budgeting $26 for gas should cover your fuel needs, but it is always wise to fill up before leaving the Oakland area to avoid peak-hour congestion later. Because the longest stretch of your drive covers 57.2 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, try to time your departure to avoid the mid-day rush to ensure you maintain your estimated 2-hour and 14-minute travel time.
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 56.8 miles from Oakland, CA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.2 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.8 miles or 1h 8m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA
This is one driving day of about 113.6 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Oakland, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 57.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 113.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward I 580: San Francisco, Hayward
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 580: San Francisco, Hayward
8
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 West: San Francisco, MacArthur Freeway
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 West: San Francisco, MacArthur Fre...
8
7.1 mi into trip|~11m in|I 80 / Eastshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Eastshore Freeway toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
7
76.3 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway toward I 80 East: Reno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 East: Reno
7
113.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward Maple Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 119A
Toward Maple Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.11 one way
$52.22 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$26.91
$53.81
premium
$6.18
$27.63
$55.25
diesel
$5.61
$25.08
$50.16
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: 39.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.1
0
$11.93
$5.45
Efficient EV
28.4
0
$9.94
$4.54
EV Truck/SUV
45.4
0
$15.90
$7.27
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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 12, 2026
Origin
Oakland, CA
Late night
in Oakland on Tuesday
Local time
3:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph81% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 8:16AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 6:49AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Auburn, CA
Late night
in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
3:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 14m 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...
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...
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 23.5
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 11.8
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 7.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, with highway travel accounting for 44% of your time on the road. You will find yourself navigating several major freeways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 57.2 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The character of the road shifts as you transition from the dense traffic patterns near Oakland toward the more open stretches leading into Auburn. Expect a blend of high-speed interstate driving that keeps the pace steady throughout your two-hour commute.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.2 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1.2 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 16 significant decision points across 113.6 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
305 ft43 ft
Total Climb
357 ft
Total Descent
246 ft
Highest Point
305 ft
~32.5 mi in
Elevation Range
263 ft
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 Oakland, CA to Auburn, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento 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, USA
•Oakland Museum of California — art museum in Oakland, California
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 113.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (44%). 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 57.2 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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 Auburn, 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles (I 80 / Eastshore 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 Auburn, CA before heading back.
