Origin
Fremont, CA
Late night in Fremont on Wednesday
Local time
12:37 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
157.8 mi
254 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Barstow, CA
Wikimedia Commons
This 157.8-mile drive from Fremont, CA to Barstow, CA is designed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. You'll primarily be on CA 99, the Robert T. Monagan Freeway, and the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, with 91% of the route being highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, this straightforward journey offers a practical way to cover ground. It’s a direct route focused on efficient travel between the Pacific Coast regions of California. Plan for one main stop along the way to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.9 miles from Fremont, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
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Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 157.8-mile journey. You'll spend 91% of your time on major freeways, making for a fast-paced drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 97.5 miles on CA 99, so settle in for a significant period of consistent highway travel. While the route is predominantly freeway, it offers a direct and efficient path, minimizing time spent on local roads. This character makes it ideal for covering distance quickly.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Robert T. Monagan Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Fremont Boulevard.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 157.8 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: near the start (Fremont Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles (CA 84): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Fremont Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Herndon Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fremont, CA and Barstow, CA, road signs point toward Stockton, Sonora and Fresno.
Stockton
Sonora
Fresno
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 97.5 mi | 1h 51m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| CA 120 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| I 680 | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| CA 84 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Isabel Avenue | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| West Herndon Avenue | 2.9 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fremont, CA and Barstow, CA.
Start on Mowry Avenue
Turn right onto Fremont Boulevard
Continue on Washington Boulevard
Turn left
Merge onto I 680
Take the exit onto CA 84
Merge onto CA 84
Take the exit
Merge onto I 580
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Continue on CA 120
Take the exit
Merge onto CA 99
Take the exit
Continue on North Golden State Boulevard
Turn right onto West Herndon Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto North Parkway Drive
Continue on West Herndon Avenue
Continue on North Dickenson Avenue
Turn left onto West Barstow Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour and 15-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Leaving Fremont earlier in the morning, perhaps before 9 AM, will help you avoid potential traffic near the Bay Area. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 97.5 miles on CA 99, so consider your fuel level before entering this section. With a total estimated fuel cost of $36, it’s an economical drive. Take advantage of the single recommended stop to stretch your legs and refuel if needed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barstow, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fremont, 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 Fremont, CA
This is one driving day of about 157.8 miles and 3h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.9 mi from Fremont, CA · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 78.9 miles from Fremont, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.5 miles.
The final approach into Barstow, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Barstow, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$36.27 one way
$72.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $37.37 | $74.75 |
| premium | $6.18 | $38.38 | $76.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.84 | $69.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.57 | $7.57 |
| Efficient EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.81 | $6.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.1 | 0 | $22.09 | $10.10 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Fremont on Wednesday
Local time
12:37 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Barstow on Wednesday
Local time
12:37 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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