Getting to Pinole, CA
Getting to Pinole, CA means driving, for almost everyone. The city sits on Interstate 80 in western Contra Costa County, roughly 30 miles north-east of San Francisco and 20 miles north of Oakland. The single most useful thing to know before you plan a trip is at the bottom of this page: there is no BART station in Pinole.
The two I-80 exits
Two I-80 exits serve the city, and each lands you in a different half of it. Appian Way comes off into the residential south and is the exit for Days Inn. Fitzgerald Drive serves the Pinole Vista Shopping Center and is the exit for Motel 6. For Old Town and the waterfront, come off at either and follow San Pablo Avenue north-west.
Airports
Airports are close by Bay Area standards, and the nearest is not the biggest.
| Airport | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland (OAK) | ≈19.7 mi | Nearest; south-east down I-80 and I-580 |
| San Francisco (SFO) | ≈26 mi | More flights, longer drive across the bay |
| Buchanan Field, Concord | ≈13 mi | General aviation, no scheduled service |
There is no BART in Pinole
There is no BART station in Pinole, and the City's own Three Corridors Specific Plan states it plainly. The workaround every local uses is WestCAT route J, which connects the city to El Cerrito del Norte BART. From there the Richmond line runs into Oakland and San Francisco.
There is no passenger rail station either. The nearest platform is the unstaffed Amtrak stop at Richmond BART.
Buses inside the city
Buses inside the city are run by two operators. WestCAT covers Pinole with routes 16 (Pinole Valley), 17 (Bay View), 18 (Tara Hills) and 19 (Hilltop/Hercules), plus the J to BART and the 30Z and C3 services. AC Transit route 70 covers Appian Way in the south of the city. Buses carry racks for up to two bicycles.
Questions about reaching Pinole
Can you get to Pinole by BART?
You cannot get to Pinole by BART directly, because the city has no station. Take BART to El Cerrito del Norte and change to WestCAT route J.
How far is Pinole from San Francisco?
Pinole is about 30 miles from San Francisco by road, north-east along Interstate 80.
Which airport is closest to Pinole?
The airport closest to Pinole is Oakland International, about 19.7 miles away, and San Francisco International is roughly 26 miles.
Where to Stay Near the I-80 Corridor
Where to stay near the I-80 Corridor comes down to three motels. Two of Pinole's three motels sit within a minute of the Appian Way and Fitzgerald Drive exits, which is why the town works as an overnight stop on the corridor. motels beside the I-80 exits — compared on rates, amenities and guest scores.
motel6pinole.com is an independent visitor guide. It is not operated by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Motel 6, G6 Hospitality or any property listed. Booking links go to Expedia and earn us a commission.
Transit detail compiled August 2026 from the City of Pinole's Three Corridors Specific Plan and BART. Distances are approximate road distances. Check current WestCAT and AC Transit timetables before travelling.