Oakland, CA to Ferndale, CA is 264.7 miles and takes about 5h 29m via Redwood Highway, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region of California to another section of the Pacific Coast, entirely within the state. Given its duration and mostly surface road profile, this is a manageable one-day drive. You'll experience a significant portion of the route on the Redwood Highway, covering 233.1 miles of that stretch. Plan for a day of varied scenery and less highway time than you might expect.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132.4 miles from Oakland, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
233.1 mi
4h 42m
John T. Knox Freeway
12.9 mi
17m
CA 211
4.8 mi
10m
Willits Bypass
4.7 mi
5m
Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi
4m
MacArthur Freeway
1.7 mi
2m
Fernbridge Drive
0.7 mi
1m
14th Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 233.1 mi, about 4h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, CA and Ferndale, 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 right at fork onto I 580
13 mi·17 min·John T. Knox Freeway
Exit 13BToward I 580 West: Point Richmond, San RafaelUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·54 sec
Exit 1AToward US 101 North: San Rafeal
11
Merge onto US 101
116 mi·2 hr 18 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 101
4.5 mi·5 min·Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·48 sec
14
Merge onto US 101
0.2 mi·16 sec·Willits Bypass
15
Continue on US 101
117 mi·2 hr 24 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Fernbridge, Ferndale
17
Continue on Fernbridge Drive
527 ft·9 sec·Fernbridge Drive
18
Continue on Fernbridge Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Fernbridge Drive
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto CA 211
4.8 mi·10 min·CA 211
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
CA 211
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 29-minute drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. You'll have one recommended stop, so consider planning that midway or at a point where you'd like a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $59, so ensure your tank is adequately full before departing Oakland. Since the longest stretch on the Redwood Highway is 233.1 miles, be mindful of fuel availability in more rural sections. This is a route well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility to depart and arrive as needed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 132.4 miles from Oakland, CA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 233.1 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 58 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ferndale, 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 264.7 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Oakland, 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 Redwood Highway for about 233.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 260 — 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...
9
7.1 mi into trip|~11m in|I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580 West: Point Richmond, San Rafael
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13B
Toward I 580 West: Point Richmond, San Rafael
6
20 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 101 North: San Rafeal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward US 101 North: San Rafeal
6
260 mi into trip|~5h 19m in|CA 211
Turn left onto CA 211
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.78 one way
$129.56 round trip
$6.22/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.40
$66.71
$133.41
premium
$6.57
$68.43
$136.85
diesel
$6.18
$64.39
$128.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.4
0
$27.79
$12.71
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.16
$10.59
EV Truck/SUV
105.9
1
$37.06
$16.94
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Oakland, CA
Late night
in Oakland on Saturday
Local time
4:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 8:41PM PDT until October 17 at 12:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 8:41PM PDT until October 18 at 12:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Ferndale, CA
Late night
in Ferndale on Saturday
Local time
4:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Areas Of Fog
NNW 1 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 8:41PM PDT until October 17 at 12:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 8:41PM PDT until October 18 at 12:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
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
12 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
5h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
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,...
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...
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 18.3
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 36.5
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 9.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a highway share of 9%, meaning most of your time will be on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 233.1 miles, primarily on the Redwood Highway. You'll transition from freeway driving in the Oakland area onto surface roads for the majority of the trip to Ferndale. Expect to notice a change from urban merging to more open cruising as you head north.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 233.1 mi on Redwood Highway.
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 1.2 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 264.7 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 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5h 29m. Total distance: 264.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 233.1 miles on Redwood Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Ferndale, 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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 580 / John T. Knox 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, Muir Woods National Monument and San Francisco Maritime 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ferndale, CA before the return drive.
