Murray Field, CA to Stockton, CA is 318.7 miles and takes about 6h 40m via Redwood Highway and CA 12, with a fuel budget near $72 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels within California, starting and ending in the Pacific Coast region. Expect a drive that is mostly on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. With only one recommended stop and a duration under seven hours, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel.
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
159.3 miles from Murray Field, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
185.5 mi
3h 47m
CA 12
41.9 mi
59m
Saint Helena Highway
29.5 mi
33m
Saint Helena Highway South
21.7 mi
25m
Westside Freeway
12.6 mi
14m
Jameson Canyon Road
6.2 mi
7m
Willits Bypass
5.4 mi
6m
Broadway Street
3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 185.5 mi, about 3h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murray Field, CA and Stockton, CA.
1
Start on Airport Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Airport Road
2
Continue on Airport Road
128 ft·7 sec·Airport Road
3
Turn left onto US 101
1.3 mi·2 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on US 101
1.5 mi·4 min·4th Street
Use the left / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto US 101
3.0 mi·6 min·Broadway Street
Use the left / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 101
129 mi·2 hr 38 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 101
5.4 mi·6 min·Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 101; CA 20
55 mi·1 hr 7 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto CA 128
0.2 mi·38 sec·CA 128
Exit 512Toward CA 128 East: Canyon RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto CA 128
0.1 mi·13 sec·Canyon Road
11
Turn right onto CA 128
0.9 mi·1 min·Geyserville Avenue
12
Turn left onto CA 128
6.6 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
13
At end of road, turn left onto CA 128
16 mi·18 min·Saint Helena Highway
14
Continue on CA 128
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Boulevard
15
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
16
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
17
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
19
Turn left onto CA 12
6.2 mi·7 min·Jameson Canyon Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 12
0.3 mi·38 sec·CA 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
2.5 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 12
18 mi·25 min·CA 12
Toward CA 12 East: Rio VistaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Enter roundabout onto CA 12
90 ft·1 sec·CA 12
24
Continue on CA 12
23 mi·32 min·CA 12
Use the left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
26
Merge onto I 5
13 mi·14 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward CA 4
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
30
Continue on East Lafayette Street
385 ft·15 sec·East Lafayette Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn left onto South El Dorado Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·South El Dorado Street
32
Continue on North El Dorado Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·North El Dorado Street
33
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
117 ft·5 sec·East Fremont Street
34
Arrive at destination
East Fremont Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 40m drive, consider an early morning departure from Murray Field to maximize daylight. Since this is a single-day trip with a fuel cost around $72, you can be flexible with your timing. The route covers 318.7 miles, and while only one stop is recommended, you might find it beneficial to take short breaks every couple of hours to stay alert. Pay attention to the transition points between the Redwood Highway and CA 12, as these can signal a shift in the driving environment.
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 159.3 miles from Murray Field, CA, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 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 70 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.3 miles or 3h 20m 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 22m
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 Murray Field, 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 Murray Field, CA
This is one driving day of about 318.7 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Murray Field, 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 Redwood Highway for about 185.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 159.3 miles from Murray Field, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Redwood Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 185.5 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 262.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.1 mi into trip|~7m in|US 101 / Broadway Street
Turn left onto US 101 / Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
7
195.7 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|CA 128
Take the exit onto CA 128 toward CA 128 East: Canyon Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 512
Toward CA 128 East: Canyon Road
5
195.9 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|CA 128 / Canyon Road
Turn left onto CA 128 / Canyon Road
Navigation decision point
6
259.4 mi into trip|~5h 19m in|CA 12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 12
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
262.2 mi into trip|~5h 23m in|CA 12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 12 toward CA 12 East: Rio Vista
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 12 East: Rio Vista
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.68 one way
$133.35 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$69.25
$138.50
premium
$5.67
$71.08
$142.16
diesel
$4.80
$60.18
$120.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.6
1
$33.46
$15.30
Efficient EV
79.7
0
$27.89
$12.75
EV Truck/SUV
127.5
1
$44.62
$20.40
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Murray Field, CA
Late night
in Murray Field on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Sunny
NW 3 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Stockton, CA
Late night
in Stockton on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
PDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
W 3 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
51°F
Fort Bragg, CA
159 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
27 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
6h 40m 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 263.7
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 252.7
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,...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
$15
near mile 252.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on surface roads, accounting for 83% of the total mileage. You'll spend most of your time navigating local routes, with only 17% of the trip on highways like the Redwood Highway. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 185.5 miles on the Redwood Highway, before transitioning to surface roads. Be prepared for a more gradual pace as you move between towns and through varying terrain.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.5 mi on Redwood Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 3.1 miles in near US 101 / Broadway Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 318.7 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 3.1 miles (US 101 / Broadway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 195.7 miles (CA 128): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.9 miles (CA 128 / Canyon Road): Navigation decision point.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 318.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.5 miles on Redwood Highway. 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 3.1 miles (US 101 / Broadway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 195.7 miles (CA 128): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.9 miles (CA 128 / Canyon Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Muir Woods National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 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.
