Best Time to Drive from Santa Clara to Oakland

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 40 minutes via I-880 North, usually 40 at this time.

On weekdays the 41-mile drive from Santa Clara to Oakland (via I-880 North) usually takes as little as 38 minutes and up to 60 minutes, when leaving around 5 pm on Tuesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 7 am or after 8:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 45 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 2:30 pm on Saturdays (46 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Santa Clara to Oakland by day and time you leave (local time)
Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	39	41	43	48	44	43	44	44	44	46	50	50	50	48	44	40	39
Tue	39	41	45	55	47	44	43	43	44	47	54	58	60	55	49	43	39
Wed	38	41	44	53	46	44	44	44	45	49	54	59	59	55	50	43	39
Thu	38	41	45	54	47	43	43	43	45	48	56	59	60	55	49	44	39
Fri	38	41	43	46	43	43	44	44	46	49	55	56	53	51	47	42	39
Sat	39	39	39	40	40	41	42	43	44	45	45	46	45	43	42	41	39
Sun	39	39	39	39	39	40	41	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	39

Simulated from typical freeway speeds at each point of the drive for the time you would reach it, from every 5-minute reading we have recorded. Surface streets at each end are estimated.

Questions

What is the best time to drive from Santa Clara to Oakland?

On weekdays, leave before 7 am or after 8:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 38 minutes then, versus up to 60 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Clara to Oakland?

The 41-mile drive usually takes 38 to 60 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 45 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Santa Clara to Oakland?

Leaving around 5 pm on Tuesdays is usually slowest, about 60 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Oakland to Santa Clara (return trip) · Santa Clara to San Francisco · Santa Clara to Palo Alto · Santa Clara to Berkeley · Santa Clara to Fremont · Santa Clara to Walnut Creek · Santa Clara to San Mateo · Santa Clara to Hayward · Santa Clara to Pleasanton · Santa Clara to Richmond

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	39	41	43	48	44	43	44	44	44	46	50	50	50	48	44	40	39
Tue	39	41	45	55	47	44	43	43	44	47	54	58	60	55	49	43	39
Wed	38	41	44	53	46	44	44	44	45	49	54	59	59	55	50	43	39
Thu	38	41	45	54	47	43	43	43	45	48	56	59	60	55	49	44	39
Fri	38	41	43	46	43	43	44	44	46	49	55	56	53	51	47	42	39
Sat	39	39	39	40	40	41	42	43	44	45	45	46	45	43	42	41	39
Sun	39	39	39	39	39	40	41	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	39

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	39	41	43	48	44	43	44	44	44	46	50	50	50	48	44	40	39
Tue	39	41	45	55	47	44	43	43	44	47	54	58	60	55	49	43	39
Wed	38	41	44	53	46	44	44	44	45	49	54	59	59	55	50	43	39
Thu	38	41	45	54	47	43	43	43	45	48	56	59	60	55	49	44	39
Fri	38	41	43	46	43	43	44	44	46	49	55	56	53	51	47	42	39
Sat	39	39	39	40	40	41	42	43	44	45	45	46	45	43	42	41	39
Sun	39	39	39	39	39	40	41	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	39

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	39	41	43	48	44	43	44	44	44	46	50	50	50	48	44	40	39
Tue	39	41	45	55	47	44	43	43	44	47	54	58	60	55	49	43	39
Wed	38	41	44	53	46	44	44	44	45	49	54	59	59	55	50	43	39
Thu	38	41	45	54	47	43	43	43	45	48	56	59	60	55	49	44	39
Fri	38	41	43	46	43	43	44	44	46	49	55	56	53	51	47	42	39
Sat	39	39	39	40	40	41	42	43	44	45	45	46	45	43	42	41	39
Sun	39	39	39	39	39	40	41	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	42	39