How far is San Rafael, CA from Fremont, CA?
The driving distance from San Rafael, CA to Fremont, CA is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 41.8 miles (67.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 06m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Alameda County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Rafael and Fremont.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Rafael and Fremont.
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1
Start on Fourth Street
2667 ft · 1 min · Fourth Street
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2
Turn right onto Hetherton Street
652 ft · 17 sec · Hetherton Street
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3
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 South: San Francisco, Oakland
1389 ft · 36 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
1805 ft · 28 sec · Redwood Highway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
13.6 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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6
Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Eastshore Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
14.3 mi · 18 min · Nimitz Freeway
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9
Keep slight left
5.6 mi · 6 min
-
10
Keep slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight left
5.6 mi · 6 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward Mowry Avenue, Central Fremont
1404 ft · 36 sec
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13
Turn left
36 m · 3 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Mowry Avenue
643 ft · 11 sec · Mowry Avenue
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15
Continue on Mowry Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Mowry Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mowry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Rafael and Fremont.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Nimitz Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
14.3 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Rafael and Sunny near Fremont.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Rafael to Fremont?
The road trip is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km) and usually takes 01h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Alameda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.3 miles from San Rafael and 24.4 miles from Fremont.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 41.8 miles (67.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.92 one way or $19.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Rafael and Sunny near Fremont.
Stop Ideas Near Alameda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
Alameda Public Works Department
Old Berkeley City Hall
My City Hall Wedding
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Alameda.
Oakland – Jack London Square station
Oakland Coliseum station
Emeryville station
Berkeley station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Rafael and Fremont. Straight-line distance: 41.73 mi (67.16 km).
#1 San Rafael
The most populous city in Marin County, California.
| Population | 58,528 |
| Coordinates | 37.9735300, -122.5310900 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fremont
The fifth most populous city in California.
| Population | 234,569 |
| Coordinates | 37.5482700, -121.9885700 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mowry Avenue (-121.988548, 37.548259)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.92 | $19.85 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.43 | $20.87 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.74 | $21.48 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $13.02 | $26.03 |
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 · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.