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Trip from San Bernardino, CA to Brentwood, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 28m

Distance

396.5 mi

638 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$91

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 18m ★
6 AM
7h 28m
8 AM
7h 48m
10 AM
7h 35m
12 PM
7h 33m
3 PM
7h 36m
5 PM
7h 47m
8 PM
7h 22m

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 Contra Costa County, California, United States

Brentwood, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from San Bernardino, CA to Brentwood, CA covers 396.5 miles and takes about 7h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Westside Freeway, Foothill Freeway, I 5 Truck for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 225.6 miles on Westside Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $91.13 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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

198.3 miles from San Bernardino, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Westside Freeway 225.6 mi 4h 1m
Foothill Freeway 73.8 mi 1h 25m
I 5 Truck 37.1 mi 42m
Golden State Freeway 22.3 mi 25m
William Elton Brown Freeway 13.9 mi 14m
Byron Highway 6.7 mi 10m
Brentwood Boulevard 3.7 mi 5m
Mountain House Parkway 3.5 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Bernardino, CA and Brentwood, CA.

1

Start on West 5th Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West 5th Street
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 215 North: Barstow
3

Merge onto I 215

1.5 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Continue on I 215

0.5 mi · 34 sec · Barstow Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 46B Toward CA 210 West: Pasadena Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto CA 210

21 mi · 24 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

2.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.4 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210

20 mi · 23 min · Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210

26 mi · 29 min · Foothill Freeway
Exit 26A Toward I 210 West: Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 5 Truck

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

36 mi · 41 min · I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

22 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

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.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

14 mi · 14 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
20

Keep slight right at fork

288 ft · 7 sec
Toward Patterson Pass Road
21

Turn straight onto Mountain House Parkway

0.7 mi · 1 min · Mountain House Parkway
Use the straight lane.
22

Turn right onto International Parkway

0.8 mi · 1 min · International Parkway
23

Continue on Mountain House Parkway

2.8 mi · 5 min · Mountain House Parkway
Use the straight lane.
24

At end of road, turn left onto J4

1.8 mi · 2 min · Byron Road
Use the slight left lane.
25

Continue on J4

1.5 mi · 2 min · Byron-Bethany Road
26

Continue on J4

6.7 mi · 10 min · Byron Highway
27

At end of road, turn left onto CA 4

1.4 mi · 2 min · CA 4
Use the left / straight lanes.
28

Continue on Brentwood Boulevard

3.7 mi · 5 min · Brentwood Boulevard
29

Arrive at destination

Brentwood Boulevard

Trip Plan

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.3 miles from San Bernardino, CA, or about 3h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 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 87 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 198.3 miles or 3h 45m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brentwood, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving San Bernardino, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from San Bernardino, CA

This is one driving day of about 396.5 miles and 7h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from San Bernardino, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 225.6 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

198 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 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fresno, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 198.3 miles from San Bernardino, 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 225.6 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.

Rail Side Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.3

San Dimas, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19095998637

Visit website

Sweet Savory Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.3

San Dimas, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19093059738

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 226.6

Kettleman City, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Range Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 226.6

Kettleman City, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333872643

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 85

Stevenson Ranch, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 283.2

Firebaugh, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 85

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 283.2

Firebaugh, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 85

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 85

Valencia, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 85

Valencia, California

+16612554100

Visit website

NHRA Motorsports Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 28.3

Pomona, California

Hours: Closed

+19096222133

Visit website

Carr Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 56.6

Glendale, California

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18185482184

Visit website

Casa Adobe de San Rafael and Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 56.6

Glendale, California

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18185482184

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 137.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
3.1 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward CA 210 West: Pasadena

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 46B Toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
6
25.5 mi into trip | ~31m in | CA 210 / Foothill Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
26.6 mi into trip | ~32m in | CA 210 / Foothill Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
52.2 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | I 210 / Foothill Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 210 / Foothill Freeway toward I 210 West: Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 26A Toward I 210 West: Sacramento
7
137.4 mi into trip | ~2h 40m 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

$91.13 one way

$182.27 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 139 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $93.91 $187.82
premium $6.18 $96.42 $192.85
diesel $5.61 $87.54 $175.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$91

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$116–$141

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 138.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 118.9 1 $41.63 $19.03
Efficient EV 99.1 1 $34.69 $15.86
EV Truck/SUV 158.6 1 $55.51 $25.38

Gas CO2

139 kg

EV CO2

46 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 15, 2026

Origin

San Bernardino, CA

Afternoon in San Bernardino on Saturday

Local time

1:09 PM

PDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brentwood, CA

Afternoon in Brentwood on Saturday

Local time

1:09 PM

PDT

Current temp

--

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Road read

7h 28m 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.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

National Memorial

On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 396.5
View on nps.gov
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 ~54 min detour Free near mile 82
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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 136.7
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

396.5 mi in 7h 28m, mostly highway — 225.6 mi of that is on Westside Freeway.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225.6 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Foothill Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 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 21 significant decision points across 396.5 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 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.5 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from San Bernardino, CA to Brentwood, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.

San Francisco

363 mi in | ~6h 41m | via I 580

About the Cities

Starting in San Bernardino, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1854

San Bernardino is a city in the Inland Empire in California. It is the site of the first McDonald Brothers Hamburger Stand

Top landmarks

  • • San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot — railway station in San Bernardino, the United States of America
  • • California Theatre of the Performing Arts — theater and performing arts center in San Bernardino, California
  • • San Bernardino County Court House — courthouse in San Bernardino, United States of America

Arriving in Brentwood, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1837

Brentwood is an affluent, suburban city in eastern Contra Costa County, California with a popular downtown for visitors coming from the Sacramento Valley to the county. It serves as one of the eastern gateways to the East Bay, along with Livermore. Many in the city are commuters.

Top landmarks

  • • Stone House of John Marsh — historic stone house in Contra Costa County, California

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 7h 28m. Total distance: 396.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 225.6 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 Brentwood, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.5 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brentwood, CA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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