Origin
Ridgecrest, CA
Late night in Ridgecrest on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ridgecrest, CA to Fremont, 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
7h 9m
Distance
367.9 mi
592 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$85
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 58m
★
6 AM
7h 9m
8 AM
7h 31m
10 AM
7h 17m
12 PM
7h 15m
3 PM
7h 18m
5 PM
7h 30m
8 PM
7h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ridgecrest, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Ridgecrest, CA to Fremont, CA? This 367.9-mile drive will take approximately 7 hours and 9 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily be on the Westside Freeway and CA 152. With a highway share of 66%, expect a focused drive with a fuel cost estimated at $85. The journey offers a straightforward path connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region. You'll make about 2 stops along the way. This route is designed for efficiency, getting you to your destination without extensive 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
184 miles from Ridgecrest, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 149.6 mi | 2h 40m |
| Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway | 54.6 mi | 1h 3m |
| CA 152 | 41.1 mi | 51m |
| South Valley Freeway | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| Aerospace Highway | 16.9 mi | 19m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 13 mi | 14m |
| US 101 | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| Redrock Randsburg Road | 12.1 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 149.6 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgecrest, CA and Fremont, CA.
1
Start on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
268 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Ridgecrest Boulevard
2
Turn right onto US 395 BUS
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
South China Lake Boulevard
3
Turn left onto US 395
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
4
Turn right onto Garlock Road
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Garlock Road
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on 797
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Redrock Randsburg Road
6
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Midland Trail
7
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield
9
Merge onto CA 58
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
10
Continue on CA 58
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
11
Continue on CA 58
55 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 58
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Centennial Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on Westside Parkway
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Westside Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Stockdale Highway
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Stockdale Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Enter roundabout onto CA 58
149 ft
·
2 sec
·
Stockdale Highway
16
Continue on CA 58
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Stockdale Highway
17
Take the exit onto CA 58
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 58
Toward I 5 North
18
Merge onto I 5; CA 58
150 mi
·
2 hr 40 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 403B
Toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
20
Continue on CA 152; CA33
29 mi
·
33 min
·
CA 152; CA33
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi
·
16 min
·
CA 152
22
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
23
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi
·
22 min
·
South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 388B
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 880
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 17
Toward Mowry Avenue, Central Fremont
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto Mowry Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Mowry Avenue
Use the right lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Mowry Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Ridgecrest to avoid any potential traffic as you approach Fremont. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a break is nearly 150 miles on the Westside Freeway, so plan your fueling accordingly. Given the drive's duration, it’s manageable in a single day, but you have the flexibility to stop overnight if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184 miles from Ridgecrest, CA, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.6 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 81 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184 miles or 3h 39m 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 54m
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 Ridgecrest, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ridgecrest, CA
This is one driving day of about 367.9 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Ridgecrest, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 149.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
184 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 184 miles from Ridgecrest, 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 149.6 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 53.7 and 366.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
53.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward CA-58 West: Bakersfield
6
279.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m 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
6
340.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m in
|
US 101
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
353.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 50m 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
366.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 5m 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
$84.56 one way
$169.12 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
129 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $87.14 | $174.27 |
| premium | $6.18 | $89.47 | $178.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $81.23 | $162.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.4 | 1 | $38.63 | $17.66 |
| Efficient EV | 92 | 1 | $32.19 | $14.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.2 | 1 | $51.51 | $23.55 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Destination
Fremont, CA
Late night in Fremont on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°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
26 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
7h 9m 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.
César E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 76.1
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 367.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 66% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter the Westside Freeway for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 149.6 miles, offering a consistent pace. The Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway and CA 152 will also contribute to the predominantly highway feel. While not characterized by winding scenic byways, the route prioritizes direct travel, allowing for steady progress across California.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 149.6 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 53.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 367.9 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 53.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 279.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 340.9 miles (US 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ridgecrest, CA and Fremont, CA, road signs point toward Hollister and San Jose.
Hollister
279.6 mi in
|
~5h 21m
San Jose
279.6 mi in
|
~5h 21m
About the Cities
Starting in Ridgecrest, CA
Full guide →Ridgecrest is a city in Kern County in the Mojave Desert of California.
Top landmarks
- • Maturango Museum — museum in Ridgecrest, California
Arriving in Fremont, CA
Full guide →Founded 1956
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
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 7h 9m. Total distance: 367.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 149.6 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 53.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 279.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 340.9 miles (US 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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