Major Highways & Driving Tips in Oakland, California, United States
1. Interstate 580
Key east-west route connecting Oakland to San Francisco and the Central Valley. Offers scenic views of SF Bay and city skyline.
- Rush Hour Traffic: Heavy traffic during peak hours, especially around San Francisco.
- Rest Areas: Limited rest areas along this stretch, so plan accordingly.
- Construction Zones: Occasional construction zones that may cause delays or detours.
2. Interstate 880
Crucial north-south route connecting Oakland to the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley. Provides access to Oakland International Airport.
- Oakland Coliseum Complex: Increased traffic around sports events at the Oakland Coliseum or Oracle Arena.
- Construction Zones: Ongoing construction projects may cause delays and detours.
- Local Attractions: Passes by Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, and Oakland Museum of California.
3. Interstate 5
Major north-south route connecting Sacramento and the Central Valley to San Francisco Bay Area. Runs along Oakland's eastern border.
- Truck Traffic: High volume of truck traffic, especially around Oakland's ports.
- Exit Routes: Limited exit routes for local destinations along this stretch.
- Construction Zones: Occasional construction zones that may cause delays or detours.
4. Highway 24
Connects Oakland and Berkeley to the Caldecott Tunnel, providing access to Contra Costa County and beyond.
- Tunnels: Caldecott Tunnel is prone to traffic backups, especially during rush hour.
- Scenic Views: Offers scenic views of the Bay Area hills and Mt. Diablo.
- Construction Zones: Ongoing construction projects may cause delays or detours.
5. Highway 13
Provides access to the East Bay Regional Park District and popular destinations like Lake Chabot.
- Scenic Drive: Beautiful, winding drive through Oakland hills with panoramic views.
- Local Attractions: Passes by popular regional parks and recreational areas.
- Speed Limits: Lower speed limits due to winding roadways and scenic views.
6. Highway 202
Connects Interstate 880 with the Bay Bridge and San Francisco.
- Bay Bridge Toll: Toll is charged for crossing the Bay Bridge.
- Construction Zones: Occasional construction zones that may cause delays or detours.
- Rush Hour Traffic: Heavy traffic during peak hours, especially around the Bay Bridge.
7. Highway 4
Connects Contra Costa County with Oakland and San Francisco via the Caldecott Tunnel.
- Tunnels: Caldecott Tunnel is prone to traffic backups, especially during rush hour.
- Construction Zones: Ongoing construction projects may cause delays or detours.
- Scenic Views: Offers scenic views of the Bay Area hills and Mt. Diablo.
8. Highway 17
Connects Oakland with Santa Cruz via the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
- Construction Zones: Ongoing construction projects may cause delays or detours.
- Scenic Drive: Beautiful, winding drive through the Santa Cruz Mountains.
- Local Attractions: Passes by popular destinations like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
9. Highway 45
Provides access to the San Mateo Bridge and San Francisco Peninsula.
- San Mateo Bridge Toll: Toll is charged for crossing the San Mateo Bridge.
- Construction Zones: Occasional construction zones that may cause delays or detours.
- Rush Hour Traffic: Heavy traffic during peak hours, especially around the San Mateo Bridge.
10. Highway 84
Connects Oakland with Fremont and the Dumbarton Bridge.
- Dumbarton Bridge Toll: Toll is charged for crossing the Dumbarton Bridge.
- Construction Zones: Ongoing construction projects may cause delays or detours.
- Local Attractions: Passes by popular destinations like the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system and the Alameda County Fairgrounds.
11. Highway 92
Connects Oakland with the Pacific Coast Highway via the San Mateo Bridge.
- San Mateo Bridge Toll: Toll is charged for crossing the San Mateo Bridge.
- Construction Zones: Ongoing construction projects may cause delays or detours.
- Scenic Drive: Beautiful, winding drive through the East Bay hills and along the Pacific Coast.
12. Highway 238
Connects Oakland with Alameda via the Webster Street Tube.
- Webster Street Tube: Unique underwater tunnel connects Oakland and Alameda.
- Local Attractions: Passes by popular destinations like Jack London Square and the USS Hornet Museum.
- Construction Zones: Ongoing construction projects may cause delays or detours.
13. Highway 262
Connects Oakland with Richmond and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
- Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Toll: Toll is charged for crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
- Construction Zones: Ongoing construction projects may cause delays or detours.
- Rush Hour Traffic: Heavy traffic during peak hours, especially around the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
14. Highway 240
Connects Oakland with the San Francisco International Airport via the Dumbarton Bridge.
- Dumbarton Bridge Toll: Toll is charged for crossing the Dumbarton Bridge.
- Construction Zones: Ongoing construction projects may cause delays or detours.
- Scenic Drive: Beautiful, winding drive through the East Bay hills and along the San Francisco Bay.
15. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
High-speed rail system connecting Oakland with cities throughout the Bay Area.
- Train Schedules: Trains run frequently but may be delayed during peak hours.
- Stations: Various station locations in Oakland, as well as throughout the Bay Area.
- Fares and Passes: Single ride tickets, day passes, and monthly passes are available for purchase.