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Trip from West Covina, CA to Stockton, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 31m

Distance

354.2 mi

570 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$81

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 19m ★
6 AM
6h 31m
8 AM
6h 56m
10 AM
6h 40m
12 PM
6h 38m
3 PM
6h 41m
5 PM
6h 55m
8 PM
6h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America

West Covina, CA

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of San Joaquin County, California, United States

Stockton, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 354.2-mile drive from West Covina, California, to Stockton, California, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 31 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused journey, you'll spend 99% of your time on major freeways, including the Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway, with a brief stint on I-5 Truck. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $81. Given its efficiency, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to cover significant ground without needing an overnight stop. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for the entire journey, so expect a consistent driving environment.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

177.1 miles from West Covina, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 250.5 mi 4h 28m
Golden State Freeway 47.2 mi 54m
I 5 Truck 37.7 mi 43m
San Bernardino Freeway 15.6 mi 17m
South El Dorado Street 1 mi 1m
West Charter Way 0.6 mi 1m
West Covina Parkway 0.3 mi <1m
North El Dorado Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 250.5 mi, about 4h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Covina, CA and Stockton, CA.

1

Start on this road

102 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn right

165 ft · 17 sec
3

Turn left onto West Covina Parkway

0.3 mi · 50 sec · West Covina Parkway
4

Continue on West Pacific Avenue

365 ft · 19 sec · West Pacific Avenue
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
6

Merge onto I 10

1.5 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

11 mi · 13 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Exit 18A Toward I 5 North: Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 5

23 mi · 26 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

226 mi · 4 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

25 mi · 26 min · Westside Freeway
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Exit 471 Toward CA 4 West
18

Keep slight right at fork

407 ft · 5 sec
19

Turn straight onto West Charter Way

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Charter Way
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Turn left onto South El Dorado Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · South El Dorado Street
21

Continue on North El Dorado Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · North El Dorado Street
22

Turn right onto East Fremont Street

117 ft · 5 sec · East Fremont Street
23

Arrive at destination

East Fremont Street

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour and 31-minute drive, departing early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With only one suggested stop and a 250.5-mile longest stretch, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $81 estimated cost suggests a few fill-ups will be necessary. A key tip for this route is to utilize the I-5 Truck sections when indicated, as they are often designed to bypass local traffic and maintain consistent travel times.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.1 miles from West Covina, CA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.5 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 78 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 177.1 miles or 3h 19m 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 25m

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 West Covina, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from West Covina, CA

This is one driving day of about 354.2 miles and 6h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from West Covina, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 250.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

177 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

Santa Clarita, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Avenal, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 177.1 miles from West Covina, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 250.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 25.3

Universal City, California

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18185099463

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 50.6

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 101.2

Arvin, California

Hours: 4:30 am–11 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 50.6

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 50.6

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 50.6

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 50.6

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 50.6

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 25.3

Burbank, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 50.6

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

Casa Adobe de San Rafael and Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 25.3

Glendale, California

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18185482184

Visit website

Griffith Park Trails

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 25.3

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

Griffith Park & Southern Railroad

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 25.3

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18188812586

Visit website

Universal Studio Tour

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 25.3

Universal City, California

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18008648377

Visit website

Carr Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 25.3

Glendale, California

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18185482184

Visit website

Medieval Torture Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 25.3

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12134147777

Visit website

Hollywood Wax Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 25.3

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+13234625991

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 101.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 10 West: Los Angeles

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
6
2.2 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
7
16.3 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward I 5 North: Sacramento

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 18A Toward I 5 North: Sacramento
9
41.6 mi into trip | ~50m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 161A Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
7
101.5 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in | I 5 / Westside Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$81.41 one way

$162.82 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 124 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $83.89 $167.78
premium $6.18 $86.14 $172.28
diesel $5.61 $78.20 $156.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$81

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$106–$131

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 123.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 106.3 1 $37.19 $17.00
Efficient EV 88.6 1 $30.99 $14.17
EV Truck/SUV 141.7 1 $49.59 $22.67

Gas CO2

124 kg

EV CO2

41 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

West Covina, CA

Late night in West Covina on Sunday

Local time

5:53 AM

PDT

Current temp

52°F

Mostly Clear

NNW 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:33PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:33PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Destination

Stockton, CA

Late night in Stockton on Sunday

Local time

5:53 AM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Clear

NW 12 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:33PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:33PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA

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

7 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

6h 31m 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

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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 36.6
View on nps.gov
César E. Chávez National Monument

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...

28 mi from route ~71 min detour Free near mile 97.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for virtually the entire 354.2 miles, with a 99% highway share. The majority of your travel will be on the Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. You'll encounter one long, uninterrupted stretch of 250.5 miles on the Westside Freeway, meaning extended periods of consistent speed. This is a route designed for covering distance efficiently, rather than for scenic detours, so be prepared for a straightforward freeway experience.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 250.5 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 354.2 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 0.5 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.2 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in West Covina, CA

Full guide →

West Covina is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California.

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 6h 31m. Total distance: 354.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 250.5 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 Stockton, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.2 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stockton, 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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