Origin
Fremont, CA
Afternoon in Fremont on Sunday
Local time
2:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fremont, CA to Foster City, CA
Drive Time
30m
Distance
23.8 mi
38 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 28m
★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 36m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 33m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Foster City, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Spanning just 23.8 miles, this quick trip from Fremont to Foster City is a straightforward transit across the Pacific Coast region. You can expect to complete the journey in about 30 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of $6, it is a highly economical drive for commuters or casual travelers. You will primarily utilize the Nimitz Freeway, Mowry Avenue, and CA 92 to navigate between these two California hubs. Because the total duration is so short, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule without needing to account for lengthy rest breaks.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
11.9 miles from Fremont, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused route is defined by its efficiency, with 86% of the journey spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the pavement, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 11.5 miles found on CA 92. While the drive shifts from local streets like Mowry Avenue onto the faster Nimitz Freeway, the overall feel remains consistent and functional rather than technical. Expect a predictable experience behind the wheel that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity. The transition between these road types is smooth, allowing you to maintain a steady pace throughout the brief half-hour transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 92 is the longest continuous segment at about 11.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 92 and Nimitz Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.1 miles in near I 880.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 23.8 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: at 8.1 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
8.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 880
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
10.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward CA 92 West, CA 92 East: San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Downtown, Jackson Street
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 27
Toward CA 92 West, CA 92 East: San Mateo, Half...
8
10.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 92 West: San Mateo Bridge, San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Chabot College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward CA 92 West: San Mateo Bridge, San Mateo,...
8
22.7 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward Foster City Boulevard, East Hillsdale Boulevard, Third Avenue
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 14B
Toward Foster City Boulevard, East Hillsdale Bo...
9
22.9 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Foster City Boulevard, East Hillsdale Boulevard, Third Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Foster City Boulevard, East Hillsdale Bo...
Towns Along This Route
Between Fremont, CA and Foster City, CA, road signs point toward Half Moon Bay, Downtown, San Mateo and Chabot College.
Half Moon Bay
10.6 mi in
|
~13m
Downtown
10.6 mi in
|
~13m
San Mateo
10.7 mi in
|
~14m
Chabot College
10.7 mi in
|
~14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 92 | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| Mowry Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| I 880 | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Foster City Boulevard | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Civic Center Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Shell Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Chess Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 92
— 11.5 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fremont, CA and Foster City, CA.
1
Start on Mowry Avenue
109 ft
·
4 sec
·
Mowry Avenue
2
Continue on Mowry Avenue
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Mowry Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
4
Merge onto I 880
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 880
Use the slight left lane.
6
Take the exit onto I 880
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
526 ft
·
6 sec
Exit 27
Toward CA 92 West, CA 92 East: San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Downtown, Jackson Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward CA 92 West: San Mateo Bridge, San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Chabot College
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto CA 92
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
CA 92
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 92
528 ft
·
6 sec
·
CA 92
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 92
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
CA 92
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 14B
Toward Foster City Boulevard, East Hillsdale Boulevard, Third Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
406 ft
·
5 sec
Toward Foster City Boulevard, East Hillsdale Boulevard, Third Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto Chess Drive
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
Chess Drive
15
Turn right onto Foster City Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Foster City Boulevard
Use the left / uturn / none lanes.
16
Turn right onto Civic Center Drive
206 ft
·
9 sec
·
Civic Center Drive
17
Enter roundabout onto Civic Center Drive
86 ft
·
4 sec
·
Civic Center Drive
18
Continue on Civic Center Drive
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Civic Center Drive
19
At end of road, turn right onto Shell Boulevard
311 ft
·
6 sec
·
Shell Boulevard
20
Arrive at destination
Shell Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 23.8-mile drive, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever fits your itinerary best. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the quick 30-minute duration makes the trip easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on high-speed highways, so stay alert for changing traffic patterns as you merge between the Nimitz Freeway and CA 92. Budgeting $6 for fuel is sufficient for the round trip, though keeping an eye on your tank before hitting the highway is always a smart move. Because you are traveling entirely within the Pacific Coast region, you can enjoy the convenience of a short drive without needing to worry about significant terrain changes or long-distance fatigue.
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 11.9 miles from Fremont, CA, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.5 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 23.8 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.9 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Foster City, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 23.8 miles and 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fremont, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on CA 92 for about 11.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.9 mi from Fremont, CA · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.9 miles from Fremont, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Foster City, CA
The final approach into Foster City, 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 Foster City, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.51 one way
$11.02 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $5.68 | $11.37 |
| premium | $6.24 | $5.85 | $11.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.29 | $10.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.50 | $1.14 |
| Efficient EV | 6 | 0 | $2.08 | $0.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Foster City, CA
Afternoon in Foster City on Sunday
Local time
2:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Hayward, CA
12 mi in
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
18 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
30m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fremont, CA to Foster City, CA covers 23.8 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 92, Nimitz Freeway, Mowry Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.9 miles from Fremont, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.51 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 23.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.1 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fremont, CA and Foster City, CA, road signs point toward Half Moon Bay, Downtown, San Mateo and Chabot College.
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