How far is Fremont, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance from Fremont, CA to San Mateo, CA is about 26.3 miles (42.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 33m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Placer County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fremont and San Mateo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fremont and San Mateo.
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1
Start on Mowry Avenue
33 m · 5 sec · Mowry Avenue
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2
Continue on Mowry Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Mowry Avenue
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 880 North: Oakland
1572 ft · 41 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Nimitz Freeway
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5
Keep slight left
1.4 mi · 1 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Nimitz Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Nimitz Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 92 West, CA 92 East: San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Downtown, Jackson Street
526 ft · 7 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on CA 92 West: San Mateo Bridge, San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Chabot College
2678 ft · 35 sec
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9
Merge slight left
3.6 mi · 4 min
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10
Keep slight left
528 ft · 7 sec
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11
Keep slight right
10.1 mi · 12 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 82 : El Camino Real
993 ft · 33 sec
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13
Turn right onto South El Camino Real
1.1 mi · 3 min · South El Camino Real
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South El Camino Real
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fremont and San Mateo.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
CA 92 West
Keep slight right
10.1 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Fremont and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near San Mateo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fremont to San Mateo?
The road trip is about 26.3 miles (42.4 km) and usually takes 00h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Union City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.2 miles from Fremont and 13.2 miles from San Mateo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.37 one way or $10.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fremont and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near San Mateo.
Stop Ideas Near Union City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Union City.
Fremont station
Hayward station
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Pleasanton, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fremont and San Mateo. Straight-line distance: 18.49 mi (29.75 km).
#1 Fremont
The fifth most populous city in California.
| Population | 234,569 |
| Coordinates | 37.5482700, -121.9885700 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Mateo
The second most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 102,398 |
| Coordinates | 37.5629900, -122.3255300 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Mateo (-122.32553, 37.56299)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $5.37 | $10.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $5.64 | $11.28 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $5.81 | $11.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $7.04 | $14.07 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.