Origin
Sunnyvale, CA
Late night in Sunnyvale on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sunnyvale, CA to Stockton, 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
1h 35m
Distance
75.2 mi
121 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 28m
★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 40m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sunnyvale, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Stockton, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sunnyvale to Stockton is 75.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 35 minutes via I-880 N and I-580 E, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California's Pacific Coast region, mostly sticking to major freeways. It's a straightforward trip that offers a practical way to get from the South Bay to the Central Valley. Consider this route if you need an efficient connection without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.6 miles from Sunnyvale, 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 |
| Southbay Freeway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| CA 84 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Isabel Avenue | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
— 14.6 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunnyvale, CA and Stockton, CA.
1
Start on CA 82
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
West El Camino Real
2
Turn slight left
282 ft
·
19 sec
3
Turn sharp left onto CA 82
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
West El Camino Real
4
Turn right onto South Mathilda Avenue
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Mathilda Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward CA 237 East: Milpitas
6
Merge onto CA 237
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Southbay Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 880
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Nimitz Freeway
10
Take the exit onto CA 262
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 262
Exit 12A
Toward Sacramento
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Use the straight lane.
13
Merge onto I 680
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto CA 84
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 84
Exit 21B
Toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto CA 84
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Isabel Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 580 East: Stockton
Use the right lane.
17
Merge onto I 580
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
20
Merge onto I 5
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Westside Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 471
Toward CA 4 West
22
Keep slight right at fork
407 ft
·
5 sec
23
Turn straight onto West Charter Way
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Charter Way
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn left onto South El Dorado Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South El Dorado Street
25
Continue on North El Dorado Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
North El Dorado Street
26
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
117 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Fremont Street
27
Arrive at destination
East Fremont Street
Trip Plan
Since this 75.2-mile trip takes only about 1 hour and 35 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving Sunnyvale during off-peak hours, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, can help you avoid the worst of local traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, it's an economical drive. Because the route is short and primarily highway, you likely won't need many stops, but keep an eye out for services along I-580 as you approach Stockton.
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 37.6 miles from Sunnyvale, 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.6 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 21m
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 Sunnyvale, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sunnyvale, CA
This is one driving day of about 75.2 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Sunnyvale, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.6 miles from Sunnyvale, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 235 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 23.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CA 82 / West El Camino Real
Turn sharp left onto CA 82 / West El Camino Real
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Mathilda Avenue
Turn right onto South Mathilda Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
13 mi into trip
|
~18m 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
14.8 mi into trip
|
~21m 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
23.6 mi into trip
|
~31m 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
$17.28 one way
$34.57 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $17.81 | $35.62 |
| premium | $6.18 | $18.29 | $36.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.60 | $33.21 |
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: 26.3 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 | 22.6 | 0 | $7.90 | $3.61 |
| Efficient EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.58 | $3.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.53 | $4.81 |
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.
Destination
Stockton, CA
Late night in Stockton on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
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
15 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
1h 35m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 86% of the 75.2 miles on freeways like the Robert T. Monagan Freeway and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 14.6 miles on the Robert T. Monagan Freeway. Expect a consistent freeway experience for most of the trip, with the transition to surface streets occurring closer to your destination in Stockton.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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 0.2 miles in near CA 82 / West El Camino Real.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.2 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.2 miles (CA 82 / West El Camino Real): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.4 miles (South Mathilda Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 13 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.
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 Sunnyvale, CA to Stockton, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.
Sacramento
13 mi in
|
~18m
|
via CA 262
About the Cities
Starting in Sunnyvale, CA
Full guide →Sunnyvale is a city in the South Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, in California. Sunnyvale was ranked the 5th safest city in the United States in its size category for 2004.
Arriving in Stockton, CA
Full guide →Founded 1849
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
- • USCGC Fir — Lighthouse tender
- • USS Lucid — 1953 Aggressive-class minesweeper
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 1h 35m. Total distance: 75.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). 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 0.2 miles (CA 82 / West El Camino Real): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.4 miles (South Mathilda Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Stockton, CA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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