Dos Amigos Vista Point
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Barstow, CA to Fremont, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 21m
Distance
385.8 mi
621 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$81
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 11m
★
6 AM
7h 22m
8 AM
7h 43m
10 AM
7h 29m
12 PM
7h 27m
3 PM
7h 30m
5 PM
7h 42m
8 PM
7h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Barstow, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Fremont, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 385.8-mile drive from Barstow, CA to Fremont, CA is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 7 hours and 21 minutes of driving time. You'll navigate primarily using the Westside Freeway and CA 152, with a portion on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $89, it's an accessible journey. This highway-focused route is best tackled in a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It’s a straightforward trip connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
192.9 miles from Barstow, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 149.6 mi | 2h 40m |
| Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway | 54.6 mi | 1h 3m |
| CA 152 | 41.1 mi | 51m |
| Barstow-Bakersfield Highway | 34.8 mi | 40m |
| Mojave-Barstow Highway | 26.9 mi | 29m |
| South Valley Freeway | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 13 mi | 14m |
| US 101 | 12.2 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 149.6 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,383 veh/hr typical · worst 2,075
Quietest
2 AM
~303 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 42 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barstow, CA and Fremont, CA.
1
Start on CR 66; US 66 Hist
52 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto South Barstow Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Barstow Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
4
Merge onto I 15
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 58 West: Bakersfield
6
Continue on CA 58
35 mi
·
40 min
·
Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on CA 58
27 mi
·
29 min
·
Mojave-Barstow Highway
8
Continue on CA 58
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
9
Continue on CA 58
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
10
Continue on CA 58
55 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 58
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Centennial Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Westside Parkway
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Westside Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on Stockdale Highway
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Stockdale Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto CA 58
149 ft
·
2 sec
·
Stockdale Highway
15
Continue on CA 58
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Stockdale Highway
16
Take the exit onto CA 58
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 58
Toward I 5 North
17
Merge onto I 5; CA 58
150 mi
·
2 hr 40 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 403B
Toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
19
Continue on CA 152; CA33
29 mi
·
33 min
·
CA 152; CA33
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi
·
16 min
·
CA 152
21
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
22
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi
·
22 min
·
South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 388B
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 880
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 17
Toward Mowry Avenue, Central Fremont
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto Mowry Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Mowry Avenue
Use the right lane.
29
Arrive at destination
Mowry Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 21-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Barstow to avoid potential traffic as you approach Fremont. With only 2 planned stops, you'll want to be efficient. Fuel up before you leave Barstow, as the longest stretch without a break is nearly 150 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that long segment on the Westside Freeway. This route's manageable duration means you have flexibility, but planning your fuel and rest stops strategically will ensure a smoother trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 192.9 miles from Barstow, CA, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 85 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.9 miles or 3h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fremont, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Barstow, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Barstow, CA
This is one driving day of about 385.8 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Barstow, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 149.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
193 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 192.9 miles from Barstow, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 149.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Boron Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Boron Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Coalinga Avenal Safety Roadside Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Coalinga - Avenal Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Coalinga - Avenal Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
John "Chuck" Erreca Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Buttonwillow Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Buttonwillow Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Lost Hills Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
John "Chuck" Erreca Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.5 mi from route
Coyote Creek Parkway
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Coyote, California
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
Always Dream PlayPark
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Fremont, California
Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm
+15107905541
Visit websiteThe Park at River Walk
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Bakersfield, California
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+16613263866
Visit websiteNiles Essanay Silent Film Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fremont, California
Hours: Closed
+15104941411
Visit websiteXcapade Newark
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Newark, California
Hours: 1–11 pm
+19099227233
Visit websiteArdenwood Historic Farm
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Fremont, California
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+15105442797
Visit websiteThe Peak of Fremont
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Fremont, California
Hours: 12–10 pm
+15106512500
Visit websiteHellyer County Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
San Jose, California
+14082250225
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 297.5 and 384.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
297.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 34m in
Take the exit toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 403B
Toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
6
358.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 48m in
|
US 101
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
370.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 880 North: Oakland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 388B
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
6
378.4 mi into trip
|
~7h 11m 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
384.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 18m 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
$80.71 one way
$161.43 round trip
$5.31/gal
25.4 MPG avg
135 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $83.83 | $167.66 |
| premium | $5.67 | $86.05 | $172.09 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $72.85 | $145.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115.7 | 1 | $40.51 | $18.52 |
| Efficient EV | 96.5 | 1 | $33.76 | $15.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 154.3 | 1 | $54.01 | $24.69 |
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Barstow, CA
Morning in Barstow on Monday
Local time
6:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 6 to 18 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Fremont, CA
Morning in Fremont on Monday
Local time
6:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
WNW 5 to 8 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
21 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
7h 21m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
César E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 106.4
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 385.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 385.8-mile journey, with 64% of it on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 149.6 miles along the Westside Freeway, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. While the profile is largely highway, the inclusion of Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway and CA 152 suggests a mix of faster sections and potentially more winding or varied road conditions as you progress. This route emphasizes efficiency over leisurely cruising.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 149.6 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 297.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 385.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 297.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 358.8 miles (US 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 370.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,953 ft
160 ft
Total Climb
2,241 ft
Total Descent
4,170 ft
Highest Point
3,953 ft
~82.7 mi in
Elevation Range
3,793 ft
Notable High Points
3,953 ft at ~82.7 miles
+1,516 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Barstow, CA and Fremont, CA, road signs point toward Hollister and San Jose.
Hollister
297.5 mi in
|
~5h 34m
San Jose
297.5 mi in
|
~5h 34m
About the Cities
Starting in Barstow, CA
Full guide →Founded 1947
Barstow is a city of 24,000 people (2018) in the southern desert of the state of California. The city's location at the junction of Interstate 15 and Interstate 40 in the middle of a barren desert, as well as its position on the old Route 66, make it a frequent pit stop for travelers passing through on their way to more exotic destinations.
Top landmarks
- • Barstow Harvey House — train station in Barstow, California
- • Western America Railroad Museum — railroad museum in Barstow, California
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 7h 21m. Total distance: 385.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 149.6 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 297.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 358.8 miles (US 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 370.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — César E. Chávez National Monument and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fremont, CA before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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