Origin
Downey, CA
Late night in Downey on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Downey, CA to Stockton, 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
6h 27m
Distance
349.6 mi
563 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$80
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 15m
★
6 AM
6h 27m
8 AM
6h 52m
10 AM
6h 36m
12 PM
6h 34m
3 PM
6h 37m
5 PM
6h 51m
8 PM
6h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Downey, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Stockton, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Downey, CA to Stockton, CA is 349.6 miles and takes about 6h 27m via Westside Freeway/Golden State Freeway/I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $80 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you primarily within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward, almost entirely highway experience. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal if you're looking for efficiency and a direct path north. Consider this trip if you prefer minimal transitions and a consistent pace on major freeways.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
174.8 miles from Downey, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 250.5 mi | 4h 28m |
| Golden State Freeway | 50 mi | 57m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 6.9 mi | 7m |
| Downey Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| South El Dorado Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Charter Way | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Gallatin Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.5 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Downey, CA and Stockton, CA.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
49 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto 2nd Street
429 ft
·
22 sec
·
2nd Street
3
Turn right onto Downey Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Downey Avenue
4
Turn left onto Gallatin Road
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Gallatin Road
5
Turn right onto Paramount Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Paramount Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
7
Merge onto I 5
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi
·
4 hr 1 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi
·
26 min
·
Westside Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 471
Toward CA 4 West
16
Keep slight right at fork
407 ft
·
5 sec
17
Turn straight onto West Charter Way
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Charter Way
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto South El Dorado Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South El Dorado Street
19
Continue on North El Dorado Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
North El Dorado Street
20
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
117 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Fremont Street
21
Arrive at destination
East Fremont Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 27-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Downey, CA, to bypass morning traffic. Since this is a single-day trip, you can complete it without an overnight stop, but plan for at least one fuel and rest break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 250.5-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, as services can become less frequent in certain sections. The $80 fuel estimate is based on current prices, so check them before you leave.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174.8 miles from Downey, CA, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.5 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 77 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.8 miles or 3h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stockton, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Downey, 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 Downey, CA
This is one driving day of about 349.6 miles and 6h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Downey, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 250.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
175 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 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 174.8 miles from Downey, 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 250.5 miles.
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 185 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 96.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Paramount Boulevard
Turn right onto Paramount Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
9.2 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
34.7 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
36.9 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
7
96.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$80.35 one way
$160.71 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $82.80 | $165.61 |
| premium | $6.18 | $85.02 | $170.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $77.19 | $154.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$80
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.9 | 1 | $36.71 | $16.78 |
| Efficient EV | 87.4 | 0 | $30.59 | $13.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.8 | 1 | $48.94 | $22.37 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Stockton, CA
Late night in Stockton on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
6h 27m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 99% highway, meaning you'll be on major freeways for nearly the entire 349.6 miles. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on the Westside Freeway, covering 250.5 miles. Expect a high volume of exits and merges as you navigate through various populated areas. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only in the final moments of the trip.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 250.5 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near Paramount Boulevard.
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 18 significant decision points across 349.6 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 1.9 miles (Paramount Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.7 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Downey, CA
Full guide →Founded 1873
Top landmarks
- • Columbia Memorial Space Center — science Museum in Downey, California
Arriving in Stockton, CA
Full guide →Founded 1849
Stockton is a city in the San Joaquin Valley in northern California. Sitting on the San Joaquin Delta, Stockton is the world's most inland natural port and used to be a major port city. One of the larger cities along I-5 through the Central Valley, it is a convenient stop and offers a variety of restaurants and accommodations for road-trippers. There are several shopping centers and movie theaters and one art museum but few major attractions.
Top landmarks
- • Haggin Museum — art museum in Stockton, California
- • USCGC Fir — Lighthouse tender
- • USS Lucid — 1953 Aggressive-class minesweeper
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 6h 27m. Total distance: 349.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 250.5 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Stockton, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (Paramount Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.7 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stockton, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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