Dos Amigos Vista Point
0 mi from route
Trip from San Francisco, CA to Barstow, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 44m
Distance
412.2 mi
663 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$97
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 35m
★
6 AM
7h 45m
8 AM
8h 4m
10 AM
7h 51m
12 PM
7h 49m
3 PM
7h 52m
5 PM
8h 3m
8 PM
7h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Francisco, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Barstow, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
San Francisco to Barstow is 412.2 miles and takes about 7h 44m via Westside Freeway, with a fuel budget near $99 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route covers a significant portion of California, moving from the Pacific Coast region inland. Expect a drive that transitions from urban and suburban environments to more open, rural landscapes as you head southeast. It's a practical, straightforward trip primarily on major roadways, making it a good option for a single-day transit.
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
206.1 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 192.5 mi | 3h 26m |
| Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway | 54.8 mi | 1h 3m |
| Barstow-Bakersfield Highway | 34.8 mi | 40m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 29.3 mi | 33m |
| Mojave-Barstow Highway | 26.9 mi | 29m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
| MacArthur Freeway | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Stockdale Highway | 9.2 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 192.5 mi, about 3h 26m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,391 veh/hr typical · worst 2,030
Quietest
2 AM
~302 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 43 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 San Francisco, CA and Barstow, CA.
1
Start on Market Street
312 ft
·
7 sec
·
Market Street
2
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Street
3
Turn left onto Bryant Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bryant Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 80 East: Oakland
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 80
6
Continue on I 80
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B
Toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 580
16 mi
·
18 min
·
MacArthur Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 580
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi
·
11 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
13
Merge onto I 5
193 mi
·
3 hr 26 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto CA 58
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
CA 58
Exit 253
Toward Stockdale Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto CA 58
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Stockdale Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto CA 58
126 ft
·
1 sec
·
Stockdale Highway
17
Continue on CA 58
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Stockdale Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on Westside Parkway
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Westside Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 58
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Centennial Corridor
20
Continue on CA 58
55 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on CA 58
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on CA 58
27 mi
·
29 min
·
Mojave-Barstow Highway
23
Continue on CA 58
35 mi
·
40 min
·
Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 15 North: Las Vegas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 15
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 183
Toward CA 247 South: Barstow Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto CA 247
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Barstow Road
Use the left lane.
28
At end of road, turn right onto CR 66; US 66 Hist
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Main Street
29
Arrive at destination
CR 66; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 44m estimated drive time, leaving San Francisco early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid the worst of any potential traffic. With only 2 recommended stops, plan these strategically for fuel and a break, perhaps around the halfway point. You'll be covering 412.2 miles, so keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is important, especially as you move into less populated areas. The fuel cost estimate is around $99, so budget accordingly. Consider a brief stop in Bakersfield for a break before the final push to Barstow.
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 206.1 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 3h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 192.5 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 91 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.1 miles or 3h 49m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barstow, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA
This is one driving day of about 412.2 miles and 7h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from San Francisco, 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 192.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
206 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 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 206.1 miles from San Francisco, 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 192.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
John "Chuck" Erreca Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
John "Chuck" Erreca Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buttonwillow Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buttonwillow Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Boron Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Boron Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Coalinga Avenal Safety Roadside Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Coalinga - Avenal Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Coalinga - Avenal Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Westley Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Westley Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Lost Hills Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.8 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.2 mi from route
Pilot
1.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.3 mi from route
TA
1.4 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2 mi from route
Alameda County Industries
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 410.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-Stockton
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 8B
Toward I 580 East: Downtown Oakland, Hayward-St...
6
36.4 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
263.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
|
CA 58
Take the exit onto CA 58 toward Stockdale Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 253
Toward Stockdale Highway
7
407.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 15 North: Las Vegas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 15 North: Las Vegas
7
410.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 42m in
Take the exit toward CA 247 South: Barstow Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 183
Toward CA 247 South: Barstow Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$96.80 one way
$193.60 round trip
$5.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
144 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.18 | $100.32 | $200.65 |
| premium | $6.30 | $102.19 | $204.38 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $86.82 | $173.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$97
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$122–$147
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 123.7 | 1 | $43.28 | $19.79 |
| Efficient EV | 103.1 | 1 | $36.07 | $16.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 164.9 | 2 | $57.71 | $26.38 |
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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.
Origin
San Francisco, CA
Afternoon in San Francisco on Wednesday
Local time
4:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
WSW 7 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Barstow, CA
Afternoon in Barstow on Wednesday
Local time
4:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Clear
W 9 mph
0% chance
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
14 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
7h 44m 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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 312.7
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument
National Monument
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$15
View on nps.gov
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 14.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 64% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on faster, multi-lane roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 192.5 miles on the Westside Freeway. After this, you'll transition to surface roads like the Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway and Barstow-Bakersfield Highway, which will likely have more local traffic and potentially more intersections. Be prepared for a noticeable shift in driving pace and environment when you leave the main highway.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 192.5 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8 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 20 significant decision points across 412.2 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 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 263.8 miles (CA 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,034 ft
54 ft
Total Climb
4,518 ft
Total Descent
2,398 ft
Highest Point
4,034 ft
~323.9 mi in
Elevation Range
3,980 ft
Notable High Points
4,034 ft at ~323.9 miles
+1,484 ft prominence
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.
On the drive from San Francisco, CA to Barstow, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Stockdale Highway along the way.
Stockdale Highway
263.8 mi in
|
~4h 51m
|
via CA 58
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Bakersfield, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteVillage Cafe
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Barstow, CA
Cuisine: chinese
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Livermore, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Livermore, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Tehachapi, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteFour Barrel Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Francisco, CA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Jimmy John's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Livermore, CA
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteTaco Bell
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Coalinga, CA
Cuisine: tex-mex
Hours: 07:00-22:00
Visit websiteRosniyom
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Livermore, CA
Cuisine: thai
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Coalinga, CA
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 08:00-22:00
Visit websiteMezze and Mooore
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Francisco, CA
Cuisine: lebanese
Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-21:00; Su off
Visit websiteLittle Star Pizza
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Francisco
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Su-Th 11:30-21:30; Fr,Sa 11:30-22:30
Visit websiteRosita
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Alamo Square Historic District
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Dragon Gate
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Francisco, CA
Historic Water Tower
Attraction
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Ulrich Field
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Benedetti Diamond
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Western America Railroad Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Barstow
Visit websiteRoute 66 "Mother Road" Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Barstow
Hours: Fr,Sa 10:00-15:00; Su 10:00-15:00
Visit websiteDesert Discovery Center
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Visit website
Simon Bolivar
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
California Volunteers Memorial
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Museum of the African Diaspora
Museum
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Francisco
Hours: We-Sa 11:00-18:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Visit websiteRoute 66 Barstow
Motel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sunset Inn
Motel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
First break
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Americas Best Value Inn
Motel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Barstow, CA
Santa Fe Motel
Motel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Shady Lane RV Camp, Barstow
Caravan_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in San Francisco, CA
Full guide →“Frisco” · Founded 1776
The centerpiece of the Bay Area, San Francisco is one of the most visited cities in the world, and with good reason. The cultural center of northern California, San Francisco is renowned for its mixture of scenic beauty and unique culture that makes it one of the most vibrant and desirable cities in the nation, if not the world. Sandwiched between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean on a small square of land seven miles (11 km) on each side, San Francisco offers a wealth of treasures for the visitor, from the windswept and often foggy bay to the steep hills lined with Victorian homes that overlook the spectacular scenery of the city.
Top landmarks
- • Golden Gate Bridge — suspension bridge on the San Francisco Bay
- • Alcatraz Island — island in San Francisco, California, United States of America
- • San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge — suspension bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, California, USA
Arriving in Barstow, CA
Full guide →Founded 1947
Barstow is a city of 24,000 people (2018) in the southern desert of the state of California. The city's location at the junction of Interstate 15 and Interstate 40 in the middle of a barren desert, as well as its position on the old Route 66, make it a frequent pit stop for travelers passing through on their way to more exotic destinations.
Top landmarks
- • Barstow Harvey House — train station in Barstow, California
- • Western America Railroad Museum — railroad museum in Barstow, 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 44m. Total distance: 412.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 192.5 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 35 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 Barstow, 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. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles (I 580 / Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 263.8 miles (CA 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — César E. Chávez National Monument, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). 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 15.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Barstow, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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