Oakland, CA to Indio, CA is 495.5 miles and takes about 9h 12m via Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and Foothill Freeway, with a fuel budget near $107 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region. Given its mostly highway profile and a duration just over nine hours, it's a solid option for a single, long day of driving or a comfortable two-day excursion. Plan for a significant portion of your travel to be on major freeways.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
247.8 miles from Oakland, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
58.4 mi
1h 6m
Foothill Freeway
44 mi
50m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
40.3 mi
44m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
30.2 mi
34m
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
29.4 mi
31m
San Bernardino Freeway
20.1 mi
23m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 162 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,824 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,650
Quietest
2 AM
~367 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 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 Indio, 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
9.7 mi·11 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 31Toward I 238: Castro Valley, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 31Toward I 238: Stockton FresnoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 238
1.9 mi·2 min·Castro Valley Freeway
Exit 31Toward I 238: Stockton FresnoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 580
12 mi·14 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Exit 14Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
15
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·17 sec
Exit 161AToward I 210 East: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 210
24 mi·28 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
19 mi·22 min·Foothill Freeway
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, VenturaUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
0.5 mi·32 sec·Foothill Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 44AToward CA 57 South: Santa AnaUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on CA 57
3.4 mi·3 min·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 22A; 22BToward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 22BToward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San BernardinoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.0 mi·4 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.0 mi·9 min·I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the slight left lane.
29
Merge onto I 10
14 mi·16 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
30
Continue on I 10
40 mi·44 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Toward Redlands, Palm SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
29 mi·31 min·Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 142Toward Monroe Street, Central IndioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn right onto Monroe Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Monroe Street
34
Turn left onto Fred Waring Drive
460 ft·13 sec·Fred Waring Drive
35
Turn right onto I 10 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·Indio Boulevard
Use the right lane.
36
Turn right onto Fargo Street
102 ft·4 sec·Fargo Street
37
Arrive at destination
Fargo Street
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 12m estimated drive time, consider splitting this trip over two days to make it more relaxed, perhaps stopping around the halfway point. If you plan to drive it in one day, an early morning departure from Oakland is recommended to maximize daylight. You'll have two planned stops, which is a good pace for a drive of this length. Keep an eye on fuel, especially with the $107 estimated cost, and utilize the numerous exits along the main freeways for services. A specific tip for this route is to be prepared for urban merging and dense traffic as you pass through the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 247.8 miles from Oakland, CA, or about 4h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 109 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 247.8 miles or 4h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 247.8 miles or 4h 31m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indio, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oakland, CA
Aim for roughly 248 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Indio, CA
Aim for roughly 248 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 109 miles from Oakland, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.9 and 393.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
10.9 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 238: Castro Valley, Stockton
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 31
Toward I 238: Castro Valley, Stockton
9
11.1 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 238: Stockton Fresno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward I 238: Stockton Fresno
8
369.8 mi into trip|~6h 49m in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino, Ventura
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 134 West, I 210 East: San Bernardino,...
8
393.6 mi into trip|~7h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
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 22A; 22B
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Lo...
9
393.7 mi into trip|~7h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 22B
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San B...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$119.88 one way
$239.75 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg173 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$123.66
$247.32
premium
$6.50
$126.72
$253.45
diesel
$6.28
$122.43
$244.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$120
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$250–$360
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 173.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
148.7
1
$52.03
$23.78
Efficient EV
123.9
1
$43.36
$19.82
EV Truck/SUV
198.2
2
$69.37
$31.71
Gas CO2
173 kg
EV CO2
58 kg (66% 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Oakland, CA
Afternoon
in Oakland on Thursday
Local time
4:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Chance Rain Showers
WNW 2 mph54% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 21 at 11:39PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 21 at 10:30PM PDT until October 22 at 2:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Indio, CA
Afternoon
in Indio on Thursday
Local time
4:32 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
NW 5 to 10 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 21 at 11:39PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 21 at 10:30PM PDT until October 22 at 2:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
7 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
9h 12m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 341.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 91% of it on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway before transitioning to other main arteries. Expect the highway to dominate your experience for the vast majority of the trip, with minimal time spent on surface streets. The profile is consistently freeway-focused.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.9 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 33 significant decision points across 495.5 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 10.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 369.8 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,823 ft-12 ft
Total Climb
4,191 ft
Total Descent
4,246 ft
Highest Point
2,823 ft
~318.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,835 ft
Notable High Points
2,823 ft at ~318.5 miles+1,717 ft prominence
1,618 ft at ~460.1 miles+604 ft prominence
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 Indio, CA, road signs point toward Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Redlands and Palm Springs.
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, United States
•Oakland Museum of California — art museum in Oakland, California
The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 248 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 46 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 Indio, 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. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 369.8 miles (I 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Indio, CA before the return drive.
