Road Trips from Concord, CA
Looking for a drive out of Concord? You've got options for day trips and longer hauls. The terrain is mostly hilly, with moderate elevation changes, making for interesting drives. Several routes offer access to historical parks, including Port Chicago and Rosie the Riveter. You can reach Bakersfield in about 5 hours on gently rolling terrain, or head south for longer journeys to places like San Diego, which require an overnight stay and have a slightly lower drive score.
Total Routes
10
Shortest
5.1h
With Parks Nearby
10
Weekend trip
8 total in this range
San Bernardino, CA
7h 51m422.6 mi one way
This 7.9-hour drive is mostly highway and covers 422.6 miles. It features hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. You'll pass by Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. This is a solid option if you're looking for a longer trip without an overnight stop.
Long Beach, CA
7h 20m393.6 mi one way
A 7.3-hour drive covering 393.6 miles, this route is primarily highway with hilly terrain and moderate elevation changes. Nearby parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, plus Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It’s a good choice for a long day trip south.
Bakersfield, CA
5h 3m271.4 mi one way
This is your quickest option at 5.1 hours and 271.4 miles. The terrain is gently rolling, offering a different feel than some of the other hilly southern routes. It still gets you past the historical parks like Port Chicago and Rosie the Riveter. A great choice for a shorter, direct drive.
Anaheim, CA
7h 22m395.5 mi one way
Clocking in at 7.4 hours and 395.5 miles, this route is mostly highway with hilly terrain and moderate elevation changes. You have access to Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, along with Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It’s comparable in length to Long Beach but offers a slightly different park proximity.
Riverside, CA
7h 56m420.8 mi one way
This 7.9-hour, 420.8-mile trip is mostly highway and features hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. You'll find Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park along the way. It's a long day trip, similar in duration to the San Bernardino route.
Long-haul ideas
San Diego, CA
9h 14m490.5 mi one way
This is a longer haul at 9.2 hours and 490.5 miles, requiring an overnight stay. The drive score is a 7, and the terrain is hilly with moderate elevation changes. You'll pass Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, plus Cabrillo National Monument. It's one of the longest options available.
Chula Vista, CA
9h 23m497.7 mi one way
At 9.4 hours and 497.7 miles, this is the longest drive from Concord and requires an overnight stop. The drive score is a 7, with hilly terrain and moderate elevation changes. Parks nearby include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Cabrillo National Monument, and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. This route offers the most mileage.
Browse by Mood
San Bernardino, CA
7h 51m422.6 mi one way
Long Beach, CA
7h 20m393.6 mi one way
Bakersfield, CA
5h 3m271.4 mi one way
Anaheim, CA
7h 22m395.5 mi one way
San Bernardino, CA
7h 51m422.6 mi one way
Long Beach, CA
7h 20m393.6 mi one way
Bakersfield, CA
5h 3m271.4 mi one way
Anaheim, CA
7h 22m395.5 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers mild weather for exploring the historical parks like Rosie the Riveter and Port Chicago, accessible on many of these mostly highway routes.
Summer
Summer drives south are long, but the hilly terrain and proximity to parks like Santa Monica Mountains provide varied scenery.
Fall
Fall brings cooler temperatures, making the longer drives to destinations like San Diego more comfortable, with access to numerous historical sites.
Winter
Winter conditions are generally mild for the hilly terrain, and the historical parks remain accessible year-round for day trips or overnight adventures.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Concord, CA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.