Origin
Citrus Heights, CA
Morning in Citrus Heights on Sunday
Local time
7:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Citrus Heights, CA to Fremont, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
120.1 mi
193 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Citrus Heights, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Citrus Heights to Fremont is 120.1 miles and takes about 2h 24m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects two points within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a generally straightforward trip. Expect a mix of highway speeds and more involved local driving as you make your way south. With a drive time under three hours, this route is very manageable for a single day. Consider this trip if you're looking for a relatively quick transit between these two California locations without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60 miles from Citrus Heights, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 42.2 mi | 48m |
| Donald D Doyle Highway | 29.6 mi | 34m |
| North Sacramento Beltline Freeway | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| Luther E Gibson Freeway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Benicia-Martinez Bridge | 8 mi | 9m |
| Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Yolo Causeway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Fremont Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 42.2 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Citrus Heights, CA and Fremont, CA.
1
Start on this road
50 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Mariposa Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Mariposa Avenue
3
Turn right onto Antelope Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Antelope Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 80 West: Sacramento
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 80
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
13 mi
·
15 min
·
North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 80
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 80
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 40
Toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 680
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 15
Toward Washington Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Washington Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Boulevard
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on Fremont Boulevard
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Fremont Boulevard
18
Turn left onto Mowry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Mowry Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on Mowry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Mowry Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Mowry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 24m estimated duration, leaving Citrus Heights mid-morning should allow you to arrive in Fremont with plenty of daylight. Since this is a single-day trip with no designated stops, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $28, and plan for a fill-up before you depart or upon arrival if needed. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be navigating more intersections than on a pure freeway route, so pay close attention to your GPS and road signs.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60 miles from Citrus Heights, CA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.2 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
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 Citrus Heights, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Citrus Heights, CA
This is one driving day of about 120.1 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Citrus Heights, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 42.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60 miles from Citrus Heights, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 116.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Antelope Road
Turn right onto Antelope Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
61.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
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 40
Toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
6
82.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
116.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward Washington Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 15
Toward Washington Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.60 one way
$55.21 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $28.45 | $56.89 |
| premium | $6.18 | $29.21 | $58.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.52 | $53.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36 | 0 | $12.61 | $5.76 |
| Efficient EV | 30 | 0 | $10.51 | $4.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48 | 0 | $16.81 | $7.69 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Sunday
Local time
7:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Martinez, CA
60 mi in
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
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 78.7
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 74.5
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 86.9
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument
National Monument
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$15
near mile 74.5
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 74.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip leans towards a turn-heavy local drive, with about 21% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Donald D. Doyle Highway, and North Sacramento Beltline Freeway, but be prepared for more frequent navigation through local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 42.2 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This means the drive will likely involve more frequent adjustments in speed and direction as you transition between different road types and through populated areas.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.2 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Antelope Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 120.1 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 0.1 miles (Antelope Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
On the drive from Citrus Heights, CA to Fremont, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Jose along the way.
San Jose
61.3 mi in
|
~1h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in Citrus Heights, CA
Full guide →Founded 1997
Citrus Heights is a city of 88,000 people (2019) in the Sierra Nevada foothills in Sacramento County in 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 2h 24m. Total distance: 120.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.2 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Antelope Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (I 80 / North Sacramento Beltline Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). 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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