Origin
Alum Rock, CA
Morning in Alum Rock on Tuesday
Local time
8:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alum Rock, CA to Fremont, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
26m
Distance
18.5 mi
30 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alum Rock, CA
David McElwee
Trip Overview
Alum Rock to Fremont is 18.5 miles and takes about 26 minutes via Nimitz Freeway and Sinclair Freeway, with a fuel budget near $4 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short hop stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive. It’s a quick connection between two points in the Bay Area, ideal for a quick transfer or a brief leg of a longer journey. Expect a practical, urban-influenced commute rather than a scenic detour. Given its brevity, this route is best suited for a same-day trip with minimal planning.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Nimitz Freeway | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| Sinclair Freeway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Mowry Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Alum Rock Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Trade Zone Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Capitol Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Montague Expressway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Nimitz Freeway
— 10.1 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alum Rock, CA and Fremont, CA.
1
Start on Alum Rock Avenue
355 ft
·
34 sec
·
Alum Rock Avenue
2
Continue on Alum Rock Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Alum Rock Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 680 North
4
Merge onto I 680
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Sinclair Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5B
Toward Capitol Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn straight onto North Capitol Avenue
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Capitol Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto Trade Zone Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Trade Zone Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto CR G4
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Montague Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
Use the straight lane.
10
Merge onto I 880
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 17
Toward Mowry Avenue, Central Fremont
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Mowry Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Mowry Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Arrive at destination
Mowry Avenue
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 16.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 680 / Sinclair Freeway
Merge onto I 680 / Sinclair Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
4.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward Capitol Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward Capitol Avenue
6
6.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward I 880 North: Oakland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
6
11.1 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 880 / Nimitz Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880 / Nimitz Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
16.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward Mowry Avenue, Central Fremont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17
Toward Mowry Avenue, Central Fremont
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.25 one way
$8.50 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $4.38 | $8.76 |
| premium | $6.18 | $4.50 | $9.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.08 | $8.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.94 | $0.89 |
| Efficient EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.62 | $0.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.59 | $1.18 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Fremont, CA
Morning in Fremont on Tuesday
Local time
8:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
26m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 73% of the route utilizing major freeways like the Nimitz Freeway and Sinclair Freeway. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch on the Nimitz Freeway, covering 10.1 miles. The character of the drive is largely determined by these main roads, suggesting a consistent pace and typical freeway conditions. While the majority is highway, the final portion on Mowry Avenue will transition you toward local streets as you approach Fremont.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 10.1 mi on Nimitz Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Nimitz Freeway and Sinclair Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near I 680 / Sinclair Freeway.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 18.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 26m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (I 680 / Sinclair Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
23min in
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
23min in
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Fremont, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websitePeet's Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
26min in
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 05:00-19:30; Sa,Su 06:00-19:30
Starbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
9min in
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Jose, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
3min in
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Jose, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteThyme to Eat
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
9min in
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
San Jose
Cuisine: coffee_shop;regional
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-14:00
Visit websiteDarda Seafood Restaurant
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
12min in
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Milpitas, CA
Cuisine: chinese;seafood
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-14:30,17:00-21:00
Visit websiteJack in the Box
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
23min in
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Fremont, CA
Cuisine: burger
Visit websiteChipotle
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
26min in
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Fremont, CA
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-Su 10:30-23:00
Visit websiteApplebee's
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
23min in
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Fremont, CA
Cuisine: american
Visit websitePanera Bread
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
26min in
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Fremont, CA
Cuisine: sandwich;bakery
Hours: 07:00-21:00
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
23min in
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Newark
Cuisine: sandwich
Mission View Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
26min in
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Coyote Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
6min in
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Alameda Creek Quarries Regional Park_node
Park
Near the end, short detour
26min in
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Higuera Adobe Park
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
17min in
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Quail Hollow
Picnic_site
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Eagle Rock
Picnic_site
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Confucius Statue
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
3min in
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Albrae
Station_site
Later in the drive, short detour
20min in
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Drawbridge
Ruins
Later in the drive, short detour
17min in
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Hensley Historic District
District
Near the start, short detour
3min in
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Robert F. Kennedy
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
3min in
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Downtown Historic District
District
Near the start, short detour
3min in
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Arriving in Fremont, CA
Full guide →Founded 1956
Fremont is a suburban city in the southern part of the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area; it is the 4th largest city in the Bay Area by population. Fremont is in the southern part of Alameda County, California, between Union City to the north, Sunol and the hills to the east, Milpitas and Santa Clara County to the south, and the San Francisco Bay to the west. The city of Newark, near the edge of the Bay, is surrounded by the city of Fremont. Fremont industry is not particularly large relative to other parts of the Bay Area, but neither is it a bedroom community. Many people in Fremont work locally in the electronics and high-tech industry, while many others commute to Silicon Valley or San Francisco locations for work.
Top landmarks
- • Mission San José — 18th-century Spanish mission in Fremont, California
- • Ardenwood Historic Farm — human settlement in California, United States of America
- • Niles Depot Museum — railway museum in Niles, California
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 26m. Total distance: 18.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 10.1 miles on Nimitz Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fremont, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (I 680 / Sinclair Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fremont, CA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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