Fremont, CA to Glendale, CA is 350.4 miles and takes about 6h 36m via Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $84 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within California, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards the south. With 87% of the route on highways, expect a relatively straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. This is a solid option for a single-day drive if you're looking to get from Northern California to Southern California without significant detours.
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
175.2 miles from Fremont, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
181.1 mi
3h 14m
I 5 Truck
74.3 mi
1h 25m
Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi
50m
Bayshore Freeway
32.3 mi
37m
Nimitz Freeway
13.3 mi
15m
Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
Mowry Avenue
1.6 mi
3m
West Colorado Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 181.1 mi, about 3h 14m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 222 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,565 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,327
Quietest
2 AM
~490 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.2×
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 Fremont, CA and Glendale, CA.
1
Start on Mowry Avenue
109 ft·4 sec·Mowry Avenue
2
Continue on Mowry Avenue
1.4 mi·3 min·Mowry Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Mowry Avenue
0.2 mi·23 sec·Mowry Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 880 South: San JoseUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 880
13 mi·15 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·34 sec
Toward US 101 South: Los AngelesUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto US 101
32 mi·37 min·Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi·39 sec·CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
9
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft·12 sec·East 10th Street
10
Continue on CA 152
41 mi·50 min·Pacheco Pass Highway
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
12
Merge onto I 5
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
16 mi·18 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·29 sec
Exit 142Toward Colorado Street, South Pacific Avenue, San Fernando RoadUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on Colorado Street Freeway Extension
0.6 mi·37 sec·Colorado Street Freeway Extension
Toward Colorado Street, South Pacific Avenue, San Fernando RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn slight right onto West Colorado Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West Colorado Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto South Brand Boulevard
31 ft·1 sec·South Brand Boulevard
21
Arrive at destination
South Brand Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 36m estimated drive time, departing in the morning is your best bet to complete this 350.4-mile trip before dark. The route features one recommended stop, so plan for a single break to stretch your legs and refuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $84, ensure your tank is full before you leave Fremont to minimize stops. The longest stretch on the highway is over 180 miles, so consider this for your primary break point. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.
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 175.2 miles from Fremont, CA, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.1 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.2 miles or 3h 21m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fremont, 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 Fremont, CA
This is one driving day of about 350.4 miles and 6h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Fremont, 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 181.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 348.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 880 South: San Jose
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 880 South: San Jose
7
15.2 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
6
270.3 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
332.8 mi into trip|~6h 15m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
8
348.7 mi into trip|~6h 33m in
Take the exit toward Colorado Street, South Pacific Avenue, San Fernando Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142
Toward Colorado Street, South Pacific Avenue, S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.31 one way
$146.62 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$76.14
$152.27
premium
$5.67
$78.15
$156.30
diesel
$4.80
$66.16
$132.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.1
1
$36.79
$16.82
Efficient EV
87.6
1
$30.66
$14.02
EV Truck/SUV
140.2
1
$49.06
$22.43
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 19, 2026
Origin
Fremont, CA
Evening
in Fremont on Monday
Local time
5:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny
WNW 2 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 7:02PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Glendale, CA
Evening
in Glendale on Monday
Local time
5:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
S 0 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 7:02PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM 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
9 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 36m 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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 326.2
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 265.8
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...
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 highway cruising, with 87% of the 350.4 miles on major roads like the Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of highway at 181.1 miles on the Westside Freeway. The transition to surface roads will occur after this long highway segment, indicating a shift from high-speed travel to local streets. Be prepared for the increased number of exits and potential for urban merging as you approach your destination.
87% 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: 181.1 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 350.4 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 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,765 ft55 ft
Total Climb
3,698 ft
Total Descent
3,233 ft
Highest Point
2,765 ft
~300.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,710 ft
Notable High Points
916 ft at ~75.1 miles+562 ft prominence
2,765 ft at ~300.4 miles+1,317 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Glendale is a suburban city of 205,000 people (2019) in the southeastern corner of the San Fernando Valley of Southern California between Burbank and Downtown Los Angeles. Glendale has one of the largest communities of Armenian descent in the United States. In addition to central Glendale, this article covers the Crescenta Valley communities of La Crescenta, Montrose, Verdugo City, and the part of Glendale in the Crescenta Valley.
Top landmarks
•Forest Lawn Memorial Park — cemetery in Glendale, California
•Glendale Transportation Center — railway station
•Grand Central Airport — airport in Glendale, Los Angeles
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 36m. Total distance: 350.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.1 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Glendale, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Glendale, CA before the return drive.
