Oakland, CA to Camarillo, CA is 360.9 miles and takes about 7h 8m via El Camino Real, Bayshore Freeway, and Chumash Highway, with a fuel budget near $82 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California, traveling along the Pacific Coast region. Given its mostly surface road profile, expect a more scenic and potentially slower pace than a freeway-only drive. You'll want to factor in extra time for navigating surface streets and potential traffic, especially if you depart during peak hours. This route is best suited for a single day if you're comfortable with a full day behind the wheel, or you could easily break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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
180.4 miles from Oakland, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
El Camino Real
207.8 mi
3h 59m
Bayshore Freeway
38.6 mi
44m
Chumash Highway
32.6 mi
45m
Ventura Freeway
30.2 mi
34m
I 880
27.2 mi
30m
Cabrillo Highway
11.8 mi
13m
Nimitz Freeway
9.9 mi
12m
Madison Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
El Camino Real
— 207.8 mi, about 3h 59m
Traffic on I-880
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~5,333 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~678 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Oakland, CA and Camarillo, CA.
1
Start on 14th Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·14th Street
2
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Harrison Street
3
Turn left onto 11th Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·11th Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto Madison Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Madison Street
5
Turn left onto 5th Street
381 ft·8 sec·5th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 880 South: San Jose
7
Merge onto I 880
9.9 mi·12 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
5.6 mi·6 min·I 880
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
2.4 mi·2 min·I 880
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
19 mi·21 min·I 880
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·34 sec
Toward US 101 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 101
39 mi·44 min·Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 101
10 mi·11 min·El Camino Real
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·50 sec
15
Merge onto US 101; CA 156
136 mi·2 hr 36 min·El Camino Real
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 101
12 mi·13 min·Cabrillo Highway
17
Continue on US 101
45 mi·51 min·El Camino Real
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward CA 154: Los Olivos, Lake Cachuma
19
Turn left onto CA 154
6.4 mi·9 min·Chumash Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto CA 154
127 ft·2 sec·Chumash Highway
21
Continue on CA 154
2.2 mi·3 min·Chumash Highway
22
Enter roundabout onto CA 154
113 ft·2 sec·Chumash Highway
Toward CA 154 East: Cachuma Lake, Santa Barbara
23
Continue on CA 154
24 mi·32 min·Chumash Highway
Toward CA 154 East: Cachuma Lake, Santa BarbaraUse the straight lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 101 SouthUse the slight left lane.
25
Merge onto US 101
17 mi·19 min·El Camino Real
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 101
30 mi·34 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 53BToward CA 34: Lewis RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto East Ventura Boulevard
322 ft·11 sec·East Ventura Boulevard
29
Arrive at destination
East Ventura Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Oakland to avoid the heaviest traffic, particularly on El Camino Real. With two recommended stops, plan to take your first break around the halfway point, perhaps near San Jose, to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch on surface roads is over 200 miles, so be mindful of your fuel levels, especially as you approach Camarillo. The estimated fuel cost of $82 is based on average prices, so adjust if you know your vehicle's specific fuel efficiency. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing based on traffic conditions.
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 180.4 miles from Oakland, CA, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.8 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 79 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.4 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Camarillo, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oakland, CA
This is one driving day of about 360.9 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Oakland, 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 El Camino Real for about 207.8 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 360.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|11th Street
Turn left onto 11th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
11 mi into trip|~15m in|I 880
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
16.6 mi into trip|~21m in|I 880
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
7
38.2 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
7
360.6 mi into trip|~7h 7m in
Take the exit toward CA 34: Lewis Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53B
Toward CA 34: Lewis Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.80 one way
$163.60 round trip
$5.76/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.96
$84.63
$169.25
premium
$6.09
$86.56
$173.12
diesel
$5.40
$76.77
$153.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.3
1
$37.89
$17.32
Efficient EV
90.2
1
$31.58
$14.44
EV Truck/SUV
144.4
1
$50.53
$23.10
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Apr 23, 2026
Origin
Oakland, CA
Afternoon
in Oakland on Saturday
Local time
1:37 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
W 2 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Camarillo, CA
Afternoon
in Camarillo on Saturday
Local time
1:37 PM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
WSW 10 mph1% chanceLive 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
3 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
7h 8m 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...
Around 23 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the landscape that is now Pinnacles National Park. The remnants of these ancient eruptions have formed a striking terrain of rocky sp...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$30
near mile 124.4
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...
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 360.9
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...
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on surface roads, with only 29% of the total mileage on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 207.8 miles on El Camino Real, which means you'll be navigating local traffic and numerous intersections for a considerable portion of the trip. The transition from highway driving to surface roads will be noticeable as you leave the Bayshore Freeway and head onto El Camino Real. Expect to encounter dense urban and suburban environments with frequent stops and slower speeds for much of the route.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 207.8 mi on El Camino Real.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near 11th Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 360.9 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 0.4 miles (11th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (I 880): 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.
Between Oakland, CA and Camarillo, CA, road signs point toward Lake Cachuma and Santa Barbara.
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
Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, approximately 54 miles (86 km) north of Los Angeles. Camarillo would be just one of the numerous small cities along the 101 Highway, if it weren't the host to one of the biggest outlet malls in Southern California.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 8m. Total distance: 360.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 207.8 miles on El Camino Real. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Camarillo, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (11th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Pinnacles National Park and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Camarillo, CA before the return drive.
