This 349.2-mile drive from Hollywood to Fremont is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 34 minutes. You'll spend virtually all your time on highways, with a 99% highway share, making it a focused, efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $80, and with only one recommended stop, it's designed for a direct transit. This route is a straightforward connection between two points within California's Pacific Coast region, prioritizing speed and directness over leisurely exploration. It's a practical choice if your main goal is to get from Southern California to the Bay Area efficiently.
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
174.6 miles from Hollywood, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 34m. Total distance: 349.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 349.2-mile trip, with a 99% highway share. The primary roads include the Westside Freeway, CA 152, and I 5 Truck, indicating a route that largely utilizes major arteries. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 182.5 miles on the Westside Freeway, suggesting significant periods of uninterrupted driving. This character means the road's personality is one of steady progress, designed for covering distance rather than showcasing varied scenery. It's about maintaining momentum on well-trafficked routes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 182.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 152. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Argyle Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 349.2 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 (Argyle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.4 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|Argyle Avenue
Turn left onto Argyle Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
18.5 mi into trip|~23m 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
78.4 mi into trip|~1h 31m 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
7
334.3 mi into trip|~6h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 880 North: Oakland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 388B
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
8
347.5 mi into trip|~6h 31m in
Take the exit toward Mowry Avenue, Central Fremont
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 17
Toward Mowry Avenue, Central Fremont
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hollywood, CA and Fremont, CA, road signs point toward Hollister and San Jose.
Hollister
260.9 mi in|~4h 47m
San Jose
260.9 mi in|~4h 47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
182.5 mi
3h 15m
CA 152
41.1 mi
51m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
Golden State Freeway
29 mi
33m
South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi
22m
Nimitz Freeway
13 mi
14m
US 101
12.2 mi
14m
Hollywood Freeway
10.1 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 182.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hollywood, CA and Fremont, CA.
1
Start on Vine Street
0.4 mi·56 sec·Vine Street
2
Turn right onto Yucca Street
454 ft·16 sec·Yucca Street
3
Turn left onto Argyle Avenue
0.1 mi·13 sec·Argyle Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 101 North: SacramentoUse the left / slight left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto US 101
10 mi·12 min·Hollywood Freeway
Toward US 101 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
183 mi·3 hr 15 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 403BToward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
14
Continue on CA 152; CA33
29 mi·33 min·CA 152; CA33
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi·16 min·CA 152
16
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi·1 min·CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
17
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi·22 min·South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
12 mi·14 min·US 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 388BToward I 880 North: OaklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 880
7.3 mi·8 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
5.7 mi·6 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 17Toward Mowry Avenue, Central FremontUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto Mowry Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Mowry Avenue
Use the right lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Mowry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 34-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day drive from Hollywood to Fremont. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you navigate out of the Los Angeles area. With a fuel cost estimated at $80 and only one suggested stop, plan your refueling strategically. The longest uninterrupted stretch of 182.5 miles on the Westside Freeway means you can settle in, but be mindful of rest needs before embarking on that segment. This is a route where knowing your fuel tank capacity and planning a gas stop accordingly will be key.
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 174.6 miles from Hollywood, CA, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.5 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 77 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.6 miles or 3h 14m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fremont, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hollywood, 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 Hollywood, CA
This is one driving day of about 349.2 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Hollywood, 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 182.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 174.6 mi from Hollywood, CA
· 3h 14m into the drive
The midpoint is around 174.6 miles from Hollywood, 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 182.5 miles.
Arriving in Fremont, CA
The final approach into Fremont, 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 Fremont, CA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 24.1
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 84.3
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 349.2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.8
1
$36.67
$16.76
Efficient EV
87.3
0
$30.55
$13.97
EV Truck/SUV
139.7
1
$48.89
$22.35
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Hollywood, CA
Late night
in Hollywood on Friday
Local time
1:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fremont, CA
Late night
in Fremont on Friday
Local time
1:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°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
4 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 34m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hollywood, CA to Fremont, CA covers 349.2 miles and takes about 6h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, CA 152, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 174.6 miles from Hollywood, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $80.26 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 349.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Argyle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.4 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hollywood, CA and Fremont, CA, road signs point toward Hollister and San Jose.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
