West Bishop, CA to Oakland, CA is 280.3 miles and takes about 6h 38m via Tioga Road and US 395, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels between two points in the Pacific Coast region, primarily taking you along major highways. You'll spend about 62% of your time on freeways, making for a relatively straightforward drive. Given the distance and duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day, allowing for a relaxed start or a leisurely afternoon arrival.
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
140.1 miles from West Bishop, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tioga Road
58.6 mi
1h 42m
US 395
58.6 mi
1h 7m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.7 mi
34m
Highway 120
25.5 mi
38m
CA 108
25 mi
34m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi
15m
New Priest Grade Road
13.3 mi
16m
Yosemite Avenue
10.8 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
Tioga Road
— 58.6 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Bishop, CA and Oakland, CA.
1
Start on Red Hill Road
1.2 mi·3 min·Red Hill Road
2
Turn right onto Ed Powers Road
1.4 mi·3 min·Ed Powers Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 395
59 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 395
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto CA 120
59 mi·1 hr 42 min·Tioga Road
Use the left lane.
5
At end of road, turn right onto Big Oak Flat Road
8.4 mi·17 min·Big Oak Flat Road
6
Continue on CA 120
26 mi·38 min·Highway 120
7
Continue on CA 120
0.8 mi·1 min·New Priest Grade Road
8
Turn slight left onto Old Priest Grade
1.9 mi·5 min·Old Priest Grade
9
At end of road, turn left onto CA 120
13 mi·15 min·New Priest Grade Road
10
Continue on CA 108; CA 120
25 mi·34 min·CA 108; CA 120
11
Turn right onto CA 120; J9; J14
0.9 mi·2 min·North Yosemite Avenue
12
Continue on CA 120; J9; J14
0.9 mi·1 min·Valley Home Road
13
Continue on CA 120; J9
7.1 mi·10 min·Lon Dale Road
14
Continue on CA 120
0.2 mi·30 sec·California Street
15
Continue on CA 120; J7
11 mi·16 min·Yosemite Avenue
16
Turn left onto CA 120
0.5 mi·51 sec·CA 120
Use the left lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 120
7.4 mi·8 min·CA 120
Toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San FranciscoUse the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 5
1.2 mi·1 min·Westside Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
14 mi·15 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
20
Continue on I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 238
2.4 mi·2 min·Castro Valley Freeway
Exit 34Toward I 238Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 880 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 880
9.8 mi·11 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 41AToward Oak Street, Lakeside DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Oak Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·12th Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Harrison Street
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·14th Street
30
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
Since this drive is under 7 hours, you can comfortably complete it in one day. Aim to leave West Bishop in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Oakland. The longest stretch without a major road change is 58.6 miles on Tioga Road, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially since there's only one suggested stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be more spread out on highway stretches like US 395.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 140.1 miles from West Bishop, CA, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.6 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 62 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.1 miles or 3h 32m 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 38m
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 West Bishop, 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 West Bishop, CA
This is one driving day of about 280.3 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from West Bishop, 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 Tioga Road for about 58.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 140.1 miles from West Bishop, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 214.4 and 280 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
214.4 mi into trip|~5h 20m in|CA 120
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 120 toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
8
266.6 mi into trip|~6h 20m in|I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway toward I 238
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward I 238
7
269 mi into trip|~6h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 880 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 880 North
8
279.1 mi into trip|~6h 35m in
Take the exit toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
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 41A
Toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive
7
280 mi into trip|~6h 37m in|Harrison Street
Turn right onto Harrison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.64 one way
$117.28 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$60.90
$121.81
premium
$5.67
$62.52
$125.03
diesel
$4.80
$52.93
$105.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.1
1
$29.43
$13.45
Efficient EV
70.1
0
$24.53
$11.21
EV Truck/SUV
112.1
1
$39.24
$17.94
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
West Bishop, CA
Evening
in West Bishop on Monday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 1 to 9 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:24PM PDT until July 17 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:44PM PDT until July 17 at 9:45PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Oakland, CA
Evening
in Oakland on Monday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 5 to 9 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:24PM PDT until July 17 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:44PM PDT until July 17 at 9:45PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
9 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
6h 38m 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.
Yosemite National Park
National Park
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yose...
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 280.3
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 38.7
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 280.3
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 280.3
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,...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$15
near mile 280.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway driving, with 62% of the route on freeways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 58.6 miles on Tioga Road before transitioning to US 395 and then the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway into Oakland. Expect relatively consistent cruising for most of the drive, with a significant portion involving highway speeds and fewer turns. The final leg into Oakland will likely bring more traffic and exit activity.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.6 mi on Tioga Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Tioga Road and US 395. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 214.4 miles in near CA 120.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 280.3 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 214.4 miles (CA 120): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.6 miles (I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 269 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
8,614 ft41 ft
Total Climb
5,721 ft
Total Descent
10,075 ft
Highest Point
8,614 ft
~80.1 mi in
Elevation Range
8,573 ft
Notable High Points
7,604 ft at ~40 miles+662 ft prominence
8,614 ft at ~80.1 miles+1,125 ft prominence
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 West Bishop, CA to Oakland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco 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 6h 38m. Total distance: 280.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.6 miles on Tioga Road. 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 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 214.4 miles (CA 120): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.6 miles (I 238 / Castro Valley Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 269 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Yosemite National Park, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Devils Postpile National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oakland, CA before the return drive.
