Fillmore, CA to Fremont, CA is 338.8 miles and takes about 6h 24m via Westside Freeway, Golden State Freeway, and CA 152, with a fuel budget near $77 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Pacific Coast region, primarily sticking to major freeways for most of the drive. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is well-suited for a single-day push, allowing you to cover significant ground efficiently. Plan for a straightforward transit between Southern and Northern California.
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
169.4 miles from Fillmore, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
182.5 mi
3h 15m
Golden State Freeway
48.1 mi
55m
CA 152
41.1 mi
51m
South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi
22m
Nimitz Freeway
13 mi
14m
West Telegraph Road
12.7 mi
16m
US 101
12.2 mi
14m
Henry Mayo Drive
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 182.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 126 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,524 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,324
Quietest
2 AM
~316 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 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 Fillmore, CA and Fremont, CA.
1
Start on A Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·A Street
2
Turn left onto CA 126
0.8 mi·1 min·Ventura Street
3
Continue on CA 126
13 mi·16 min·West Telegraph Road
4
Continue on CA 126
4.3 mi·5 min·Henry Mayo Drive
5
Turn straight onto CA 126
1.5 mi·1 min·Korean War Veterans' Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 5 North: Sacramento
7
Merge onto I 5
26 mi·29 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
183 mi·3 hr 15 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 403BToward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
11
Continue on CA 152; CA33
29 mi·33 min·CA 152; CA33
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi·16 min·CA 152
13
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi·1 min·CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
14
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi·22 min·South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
12 mi·14 min·US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 388BToward I 880 North: OaklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 880
7.3 mi·8 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
5.7 mi·6 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 17Toward Mowry Avenue, Central FremontUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Mowry Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Mowry Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Mowry Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 6h 24m drive, departing in the morning, ideally before 9 AM, will help you avoid the bulk of potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $77, this trip is manageable in a single day, but be mindful of the 182.5-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway where you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before setting out on it. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of this long freeway segment. Consider a quick stop for gas and a stretch around the halfway point to break up the drive effectively.
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 169.4 miles from Fillmore, CA, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.5 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 75 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.4 miles or 3h 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 5h 10m
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 Fillmore, 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 Fillmore, CA
This is one driving day of about 338.8 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Fillmore, 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 182.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 45.8 and 337.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
45.8 mi into trip|~56m 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.
7
68 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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
6
250.5 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
7
324 mi into trip|~6h 6m 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
8
337.2 mi into trip|~6h 21m 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
$70.88 one way
$141.76 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$73.62
$147.23
premium
$5.67
$75.56
$151.13
diesel
$4.80
$63.97
$127.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.6
1
$35.57
$16.26
Efficient EV
84.7
0
$29.65
$13.55
EV Truck/SUV
135.5
1
$47.43
$21.68
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Fillmore, CA
Evening
in Fillmore on Monday
Local time
5:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 4:21AM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Fremont, CA
Evening
in Fremont on Monday
Local time
5:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
WNW 6 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 4:21AM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
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
18 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 24m 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.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 11.7
Park Closure: Solstice Canyon Trail Weekday Closure for Repairs
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 70.1
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 338.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 93% of this 338.8-mile drive on the highway, making for a predominantly freeway experience. The longest continuous stretch on a freeway is 182.5 miles, primarily on the Westside Freeway. Expect a consistent cruising pace for the majority of your trip, transitioning to surface roads only for the final leg. The highway portions will likely feature numerous exits and on-ramps typical of busy freeway corridors.
93% 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: 182.5 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 45.8 miles in near I 5 / Golden State Freeway.
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 15 significant decision points across 338.8 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 45.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,583 ft55 ft
Total Climb
4,374 ft
Total Descent
4,776 ft
Highest Point
3,583 ft
~48.4 mi in
Elevation Range
3,529 ft
Notable High Points
3,583 ft at ~48.4 miles+2,355 ft prominence
1,257 ft at ~266.2 miles+979 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fillmore, CA and Fremont, CA, road signs point toward Hollister and San Jose.
Fillmore is a small town in Ventura County in California. It is primarily an agricultural area, although it does have a historic downtown that dates back to the late 1800s when the Southern Pacific railroad built a line through the town.
Top landmarks
•Bardsdale United Methodist Church — church building in Fillmore, United States of America
•Fillmore and Western Railway — heritage railroad in Ventura County, California, USA
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 338.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.5 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 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 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 45.8 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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.
