This 93-mile drive from San Rafael, California to Stockton, California is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in under two hours. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, it's an economical option for a day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You'll primarily be on the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, MacArthur Freeway, and Robert T. Monagan Freeway, with 96% of the journey on main roads. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Pacific Coast destinations without needing to plan for extensive stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.5 miles from San Rafael, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 93 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 93-mile route, with 96% of your journey utilizing main freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.3 miles on the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. While largely a highway-focused drive, the specific character of the road will evolve as you transition between the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, MacArthur Freeway, and Robert T. Monagan Freeway. It's a route designed for steady progress, minimizing complexity and maximizing your time on the road.
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.
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 29.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway and MacArthur Freeway. 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 Hetherton Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Hetherton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|Hetherton Street
Turn right onto Hetherton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 101 South: San Francisco, Oakland
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Francisco, Oakland
9
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 451B
Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
8
18.6 mi into trip|~24m in|I 580 / Interstate Highway 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...
8
18.8 mi into trip|~24m in|I 580 / MacArthur Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Rafael, CA and Stockton, CA, road signs point toward Hayward, Alameda and San Jose.
Hayward
18.6 mi in|~24m|via I 580
Alameda
18.6 mi in|~24m|via I 580
San Jose
18.6 mi in|~24m|via I 580
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
29.3 mi
33m
MacArthur Freeway
16.4 mi
18m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
14.6 mi
16m
John T. Knox Freeway
13.6 mi
17m
Westside Freeway
11.6 mi
12m
Eastshore Freeway
3.8 mi
4m
South El Dorado Street
1 mi
1m
West Charter Way
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
— 29.3 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Rafael, CA and Stockton, CA.
1
Start on Fourth Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Fourth Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto Hetherton Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Hetherton Street
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Francisco, OaklandUse the straight / left lanes.
4
Merge onto US 101
0.3 mi·28 sec·Redwood Highway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
14 mi·17 min·John T. Knox Freeway
Exit 451BToward I 580: Richmond Bridge, OaklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 80; I 580
3.8 mi·4 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
0.3 mi·21 sec·Interstate Highway 80
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·18 min·MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, StocktonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 580
12 mi·13 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi·4 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi·11 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13
Merge onto I 5
12 mi·12 min·Westside Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 471Toward CA 4 West
15
Keep slight right at fork
407 ft·5 sec
16
Turn straight onto West Charter Way
0.6 mi·1 min·West Charter Way
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn left onto South El Dorado Street
1.0 mi·1 min·South El Dorado Street
18
Continue on North El Dorado Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·North El Dorado Street
19
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
117 ft·5 sec·East Fremont Street
20
Arrive at destination
East Fremont Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 50-minute duration for this 93-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility. It's a great candidate for an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you navigate through freeway transitions. With a fuel cost of around $21, you can be confident in your budget. Since there are no designated stops and the longest stretch is under 30 miles, you won't need to plan for frequent refueling or lengthy breaks. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the freeway transitions between the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, MacArthur Freeway, and Robert T. Monagan Freeway, as these can sometimes be busy.
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 46.5 miles from San Rafael, CA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.3 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.5 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stockton, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Rafael, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Rafael, CA
This is one driving day of about 93 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from San Rafael, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway for about 29.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.5 mi from San Rafael, CA
· 56m into the drive
The midpoint is around 46.5 miles from San Rafael, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Stockton, CA
The final approach into Stockton, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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.
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 19.2
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 12.8
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.38 one way
$42.75 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$22.03
$44.05
premium
$6.18
$22.62
$45.23
diesel
$5.61
$20.53
$41.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.9
0
$9.76
$4.46
Efficient EV
23.3
0
$8.14
$3.72
EV Truck/SUV
37.2
0
$13.02
$5.95
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
San Rafael, CA
Late night
in San Rafael on Friday
Local time
5:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stockton, CA
Late night
in Stockton on Friday
Local time
5:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
NNW 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 2:48PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
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
11 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
1h 50m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from San Rafael, CA to Stockton, CA covers 93 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, MacArthur Freeway, Robert T. Monagan Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.5 miles from San Rafael, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.38 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 93 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Hetherton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between San Rafael, CA and Stockton, CA, road signs point toward Hayward, Alameda and San Jose.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, Muir Woods National Monument and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
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.
