Commuting in Alameda
Various Options
One of the benefits of living in Alameda is that you can plan your commute in various ways depending on where you’re going. The neighborhood is easily accessed by bicycle, allowing to travel around the island with little effort. In fact, biking in Alameda is the preferred method of travel by the majority of the residents. There are also bike routes throughout the East Bay, should you need to travel farther.
Of course, you can always travel by car if the distance to your place of employment is farther out. Carpooling and vanpooling is a popular option, but you’ll also find plenty of express lanes on I-680 southbound as well as I-580 in the Tri-Valley.
If you’re commuting a longer distance, picking up a FasTrack Transponder will help you access bridge tolls and express lanes. These make paying the tolls simpler and create a faster way to travel the bulk of the Bay Area.
Finally, you have access to a wide variety of public transportation. There’s always the BART station for longer commutes, and the ACE Train or Capital Corridor when heading to the northern part of the state. AC Transit, LAVTA/Wheels, and Union City Transit busses are also a viable option.
If you’re headed across the bay, then you can also hop on a ferry right in Alameda to access San Francisco. There is also a ferry port available in Oakland.
Commuting to San Francisco
Like the residents of Oakland, people on the island of Alameda tend to work near downtown San Francisco. Commuting to the city is a simple journey, with several ways to get there. Choosing the right one is a matter of time, convenience, and price.
The ferry is a popular option. You don’t have to worry about traffic, there’s no wear and tear on your car, and you can relax with scenic views of the bay on your way to work. If you pick up a Clipper Card, the cost to take the ferry is $10.20 for a round-trip. It takes about 20 minutes to cross the bay, but you should also take into account the amount of time you need to drive to the ferry, park, and wait for your departure. All in all, 45 minutes is a about how long the commute takes.
By car, you can connect to I-80 in Oakland and drive across the Bay Bridge. This commute takes approximately 35 minutes, but keep in mind that traffic can vary wildly. There is a toll of $6 to take the bridge from Monday through Friday between the hours of 5-10 a.m. and 3-7 p.m.
If BART is your preferred method of travel, then you can hop on the nearby station just across the water in Oakland. You have your choice of two stations, one on 12th Street at the Oakland City Center and one at the Fruitvale Station. Commute times range from 40 minutes to an hour, with tickets costing between $4-5 depending on the station. (according to BART's fare calculator)
Commuting to Silicon Valley
If you work in the Silicon Valley, then your best bet is to travel by car. I-880 is the fastest route to this area and its surrounding neighborhood. You could also choose to cross the San Mateo or Dumbarton Bridges and connect to US-101, but these routes tend to tack on time as well as tolls. There is no cost to use I-880, though Alameda County is creating express lanes along this interstate. All in all, you can expect the commute to take 45 minute to an hour with decent traffic.
Walnut Creek and Pleasanton
Both of these places are easily accessed by car and BART. Regardless of the method you choose, it’s going to take roughly 45 minutes to reach either. From the Fruitvale Station, BART costs $4.25 to Walnut Creek and $4.75 to Pleasanton.
Commuting to Sacramento
From Alameda, it takes roughly two hours to reach Sacramento by car when connecting to I-80. You could also travel through Walnut Creek and use CA-160 to connect to I-5 near Mokelumne City, but it takes about the same time. Most of these roads feature tolls at some point.
Reaching Sacramento via BART adds an hour to your trip in most cases. You can hop on in Fruitvale, then switch busses at Richmond, Oakland, or Coliseum’s stations. There’s also the option of driving to Oakland and taking a Greyhound from there. The cost is roughly $10.95 to get into the city.
Heading Further
If your commute takes you further outside the Bay Area, then traveling by car might not be the best option on the table depending on the distance. In this instance, a train may be your best bet. You could choose the ACE station in Pleasanton or Corridor in Alameda itself.
The Alameda Corridor is an excellent option if you’re heading south towards Los Angeles. The train heads all the way through Long Beach, giving you plenty of access to the city. ACE, on the other hand, is you commute option for northern parts of the state. From Walnut Creek, you can easily make your way to Dublin and beyond. Keep in mind that ACE trains are either West or Eastbound.
Luxury Apartments in Alameda, CA
Admirals’ Cove serves as your launch and landing point in Alameda. Here, you’ll discover the charm of open living space to relax in and a place to roam. Whether it’s lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf or a night out in Jack London Square, your commute is made simple at these luxury apartments. When you’re ready to come home, modern conveniences and community amenities await to envelop you in comfort. Check out our transportation guide for more information on transportation options.
