Fillmore to Stockton is 320.8 miles and takes about 5h 54m via Westside Freeway, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California, beginning in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same area. For the most part, you'll be on major freeways, making this a straightforward trip. It's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without needing an overnight stop. Consider this route for its simplicity and the ability to get to your destination within a single day.
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
160.4 miles from Fillmore, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
250.5 mi
4h 28m
Golden State Freeway
48.1 mi
55m
West Telegraph Road
12.7 mi
16m
Henry Mayo Drive
4.3 mi
5m
Korean War Veterans' Memorial Highway
1.5 mi
1m
South El Dorado Street
1 mi
1m
Ventura Street
0.8 mi
1m
West Charter Way
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.5 mi, about 4h 28m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 166 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,824 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,650
Quietest
2 AM
~367 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 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 Stockton, 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
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi·26 min·Westside Freeway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 471Toward CA 4 West
12
Keep slight right at fork
407 ft·5 sec
13
Turn straight onto West Charter Way
0.6 mi·1 min·West Charter Way
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Turn left onto South El Dorado Street
1.0 mi·1 min·South El Dorado Street
15
Continue on North El Dorado Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·North El Dorado Street
16
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
117 ft·5 sec·East Fremont Street
17
Arrive at destination
East Fremont Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 54m drive, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. With a total distance of 320.8 miles, this trip is easily manageable in one day, but planning for one stop is recommended. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $70. The longest continuous stretch on the Westside Freeway is 250.5 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before you depart or plan your stop accordingly. Having flexibility on this single-day route means you can adjust your pace as needed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 160.4 miles from Fillmore, CA, or about 3h 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 71 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.4 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 50m
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 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 320.8 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 250.5 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.9 and 318.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19.9 mi into trip|~26m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Merge onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
5
318.6 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
Take the exit toward CA 4 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 471
Toward CA 4 West
5
318.8 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.61 one way
$155.22 round trip
$6.15/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.34
$80.06
$160.12
premium
$6.50
$82.04
$164.09
diesel
$6.28
$79.27
$158.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$78
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
EV Charging Along Route
44 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Oasis - Tesla Supercharger
Lost Hills, CA
Tesla
164 DCFC
Tejon Ranch, CA – Outlets at Tejon Pkwy - Tesla Supercharger
Arvin, CA
Tesla
76 DCFC
Kettleman City, CA - Bernard Drive - Tesla Supercharger
Kettleman City, CA
Tesla
55 DCFC
Lebec, CA - Tesla Supercharger
Lebec, CA
Tesla
38 DCFC
Santa Clarita, CA - Tesla Supercharger
Valencia, CA
Tesla
32 DCFC
Castaic Village Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Castaic, CA
Tesla
32 DCFC
Santa Clarita, CA - Newhall Ranch Road - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.2
1
$33.68
$15.40
Efficient EV
80.2
0
$28.07
$12.83
EV Truck/SUV
128.3
1
$44.91
$20.53
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Fillmore, CA
Afternoon
in Fillmore on Thursday
Local time
4:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 5 to 15 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued October 22 at 11:36AM PDT until October 23 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 22 at 11:24AM PDT until October 22 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Stockton, CA
Afternoon
in Stockton on Thursday
Local time
4:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 5 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued October 22 at 11:36AM PDT until October 23 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 22 at 11:24AM PDT until October 22 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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
2 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
5h 54m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 11.1
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 66.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the trip on freeways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 250.5 miles on the Westside Freeway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent cruising experience with numerous exits and merges typical of major interstate travel. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur towards the end of your drive.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 19.9 miles in near I 5 / Golden State Freeway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 320.8 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.9 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
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
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 5h 54m. Total distance: 320.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Yes — we found about 33 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 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. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.9 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 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.
