Drive Time
5h 57m
Distance
316.2 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
The drive from Fremont, CA to Castaic, CA covers 316.2 miles and takes about 5h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Mowry Avenue, I 880 South, Nimitz Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
158.1 miles from Fremont, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 57m drive with frequent turns across 316.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mowry Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 880 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Nimitz Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 101 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bayshore Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CA 152 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 10th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pacheco Pass Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Fremont, CA and Castaic, CA.
Start on Mowry Avenue
Continue on Mowry Avenue
Continue on Mowry Avenue
Take the ramp slight right toward I 880 South: San Jose
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
Take the exit right toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
Turn left onto East 10th Street
Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
Keep slight right
Take the exit slight right toward Castaic
Turn left onto The Old Road
Turn right onto Parker Road
Turn left onto Castaic Oak Lane
Arrive at your destination
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.1 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castaic, 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 316.2 miles and 5h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.1 mi from Fremont, CA · 2h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 158.1 miles from Fremont, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Castaic, 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 Castaic, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$42.95 one way
$85.90 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $47.93 | $95.86 |
| premium | $4.15 | $51.66 | $103.33 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $46.68 | $93.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.9 | 1 | $33.20 | $15.18 |
| Efficient EV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.67 | $12.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.5 | 1 | $44.27 | $20.24 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Fremont on Saturday
Local time
3:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Castaic on Saturday
Local time
3:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
78°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
74°F
Turlock, CA
158 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
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Explore more options from Fremont, CA or browse trips ending in Castaic, CA.
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