Santa Clara, CA to Stockton, CA is 72.9 miles and takes about 1h 33m via the Robert T. Monagan Freeway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward connection between two major Bay Area-adjacent cities. Expect a mostly highway-focused experience that makes for a quick transit, ideal if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. It's a short enough trip that you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.4 miles from Santa Clara, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
14.6 mi
16m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi
14m
Westside Freeway
11.6 mi
12m
I 680
8.5 mi
9m
CA 84
5.5 mi
7m
Nimitz Freeway
5 mi
5m
Isabel Avenue
4.3 mi
6m
De La Cruz Boulevard
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
— 14.6 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Clara, CA and Stockton, CA.
1
Start on Lincoln Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Lincoln Street
2
Turn left onto CA 82
0.5 mi·1 min·El Camino Real
3
Turn slight right
151 ft·6 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Turn slight right onto Lafayette Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Lafayette Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto Harrison Street
503 ft·24 sec·Harrison Street
6
Turn left onto Alviso Street
188 ft·3 sec·Alviso Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on De La Cruz Boulevard
1.9 mi·3 min·De La Cruz Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on West Trimble Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Trimble Road
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on East Trimble Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Trimble Road
10
Turn right onto CR G4
0.8 mi·1 min·Montague Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 880 NorthUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 880
4.4 mi·5 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
0.6 mi·41 sec·Nimitz Freeway
15
Take the exit onto CA 262
1.6 mi·2 min·CA 262
Exit 12AToward SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse the straight lane.
18
Merge onto I 680
8.5 mi·9 min·I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto CA 84
5.5 mi·7 min·CA 84
Exit 21BToward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto CA 84
4.3 mi·6 min·Isabel Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 East: StocktonUse the right lane.
22
Merge onto I 580
13 mi·14 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi·4 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi·11 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
25
Merge onto I 5
12 mi·12 min·Westside Freeway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 471Toward CA 4 West
27
Keep slight right at fork
407 ft·5 sec
28
Turn straight onto West Charter Way
0.6 mi·1 min·West Charter Way
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Turn left onto South El Dorado Street
1.0 mi·1 min·South El Dorado Street
30
Continue on North El Dorado Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·North El Dorado Street
31
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
117 ft·5 sec·East Fremont Street
32
Arrive at destination
East Fremont Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 33 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day, so you can leave whenever is most convenient. There are no recommended stops, which means you can push through to Stockton without needing to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $17, and it's always wise to top off before you depart or at the first available exit if you're running low. Planning to depart during off-peak hours can help you avoid any unexpected traffic delays.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.4 miles from Santa Clara, CA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.4 miles or 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 1h 20m
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 Santa Clara, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Santa Clara, CA
This is one driving day of about 72.9 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Santa Clara, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Robert T. Monagan Freeway for about 14.6 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 21.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|Alviso Street
Turn left onto Alviso Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
5.4 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
10.7 mi into trip|~16m in|CA 262
Take the exit onto CA 262 toward Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12A
Toward Sacramento
8
12.5 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
8
21.3 mi into trip|~30m in|CA 84
Take the exit onto CA 84 toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
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 21B
Toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.76 one way
$33.51 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$17.27
$34.53
premium
$6.18
$17.73
$35.46
diesel
$5.61
$16.10
$32.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.9
0
$7.65
$3.50
Efficient EV
18.2
0
$6.38
$2.92
EV Truck/SUV
29.2
0
$10.21
$4.67
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Santa Clara, CA
Evening
in Santa Clara on Sunday
Local time
7:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stockton, CA
Evening
in Stockton on Sunday
Local time
7:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°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
3 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
1h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 32.7
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 a highway-focused drive, with 83% of the journey taking place on major freeways. You'll be navigating primarily on the Robert T. Monagan Freeway, Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, and Westside Freeway, which are designed for higher speeds and longer stretches of uninterrupted travel. The longest continuous segment you'll encounter is 14.6 miles on the Robert T. Monagan Freeway. While it's a highway drive, the landscape will transition from urban-influenced areas to more open terrain as you head east towards Stockton.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on Robert T. Monagan Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Robert T. Monagan Freeway and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near Alviso Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.9 miles you will encounter 24 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 0.9 miles (Alviso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Santa Clara, CA to Stockton, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.
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 1h 33m. Total distance: 72.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on Robert T. Monagan Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (Alviso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Stockton, CA before heading back.
