Rubidoux, CA to Fremont, CA is 403.9 miles and takes about 7h 41m via Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, and CA 152, with a fuel budget near $92 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California, traversing the Pacific Coast region for both its start and end points. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day transit. It's a practical choice if you need to cover a significant distance efficiently between these two points.
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
202 miles from Rubidoux, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
182.5 mi
3h 15m
Foothill Freeway
43.9 mi
50m
CA 152
41.1 mi
51m
I 5 Truck
37.1 mi
42m
Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi
25m
South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi
22m
Pomona Freeway
17.6 mi
20m
Nimitz Freeway
13 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 182.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 138 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 Rubidoux, CA and Fremont, CA.
1
Start on CA 60 Business
98 ft·6 sec·Mission Boulevard
2
Continue on CA 60 Business
2.0 mi·3 min·Mission Boulevard
3
Turn sharp right onto Valley Way
459 ft·13 sec·Valley Way
Use the right lane.
4
Turn sharp left
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward CA 60 West
5
Merge onto CA 60
18 mi·20 min·Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 29BToward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, PomonaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward CA 71 North: PomonaUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto CA 71
3.5 mi·4 min·Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward CA 57 North
11
Continue on CA 57
3.4 mi·3 min·CA 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 25CToward I 210 West: Pasadena
13
Merge onto I 210
18 mi·21 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210
26 mi·29 min·Foothill Freeway
Exit 26AToward I 210 West: SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.0 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 403BToward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
21
Continue on CA 152; CA33
29 mi·33 min·CA 152; CA33
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi·16 min·CA 152
23
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi·1 min·CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
24
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi·22 min·South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
12 mi·14 min·US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 388BToward I 880 North: OaklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 880
7.3 mi·8 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
5.7 mi·6 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 17Toward Mowry Avenue, Central FremontUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto Mowry Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Mowry Avenue
Use the right lane.
31
Arrive at destination
Mowry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 41m estimated drive time, leaving Rubidoux in the early morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid the worst traffic. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 403.9 miles comfortably. The longest stretch is 182.5 miles, so plan one of your breaks around that mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $92; it's wise to fill up before embarking on longer highway segments. The route's 98% highway share means most services will be found at freeway exits.
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 202 miles from Rubidoux, CA, or about 3h 51m 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 89 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202 miles or 3h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 26m
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 Rubidoux, 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 Rubidoux, CA
This is one driving day of about 403.9 miles and 7h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Rubidoux, 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 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 402.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2 mi into trip|~3m in|Valley Way
Turn sharp right onto Valley Way
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn sharp left toward CA 60 West
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Toward CA 60 West
8
20 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
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 29B
Toward CA 71 South, CA 71 North: Corona, Pomona
8
48 mi into trip|~1h in|I 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26A
Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
8
402.2 mi into trip|~7h 37m 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
$84.50 one way
$169.00 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$87.76
$175.52
premium
$5.67
$90.08
$180.16
diesel
$4.80
$76.26
$152.53
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: 141.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.2
1
$42.41
$19.39
Efficient EV
101
1
$35.34
$16.16
EV Truck/SUV
161.6
2
$56.55
$25.85
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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
Rubidoux, CA
Late night
in Rubidoux on Monday
Local time
2:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
W 0 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Fremont, CA
Late night
in Fremont on Monday
Local time
2:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
WNW 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
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
12 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 41m 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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 69.6
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 139.3
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 403.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect nearly all of your 403.9 miles to be on highways, with a 98% highway share. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway driving for 182.5 miles on the Westside Freeway. This means you'll experience sustained high-speed cruising for extended periods. Be prepared for the frequent exits and entrances common on such a high-percentage highway route.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near Valley Way.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 403.9 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 2 miles (Valley Way): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,855 ft55 ft
Total Climb
3,524 ft
Total Descent
4,241 ft
Highest Point
3,855 ft
~115.4 mi in
Elevation Range
3,801 ft
Notable High Points
3,855 ft at ~115.4 miles+2,260 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rubidoux, CA and Fremont, CA, road signs point toward Hollister and San Jose.
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 7h 41m. Total distance: 403.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 41m 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 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 2 miles (Valley Way): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 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.
