Origin
Alta Sierra, CA
Night in Alta Sierra on Tuesday
Local time
10:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alta Sierra, CA to San Jose, CA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
167.6 mi
270 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alta Sierra, CA
Patrick Gamelkoorn
San Jose, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Alta Sierra, CA to San Jose, CA covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Donald D Doyle Highway, Alan S. Hart Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.52 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.8 miles from Alta Sierra, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Alta Sierra, CA to San Jose, CA covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 23m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 44.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near CA 49.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 167.6 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 1.6 miles (CA 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 97.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CA 49
At end of road, turn left onto CA 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
97.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
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 40
Toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
7
155.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward CA 262
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward CA 262
9
155.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic Univers...
8
165.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, North First Street
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 4A
Toward Downtown, North First Street
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 Alta Sierra, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Warm Springs District along the way.
Warm Springs District
155.6 mi in
|
~3h 6m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 44.3 mi | 51m |
| Donald D Doyle Highway | 32.4 mi | 37m |
| Alan S. Hart Freeway | 16.8 mi | 19m |
| North Sacramento Beltline Freeway | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| Luther E Gibson Freeway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| CA 49 | 10.3 mi | 13m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Benicia-Martinez Bridge | 8 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 44.3 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alta Sierra, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on Upper Circle Drive
0.1 mi
·
37 sec
·
Upper Circle Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto Francis Drive
343 ft
·
16 sec
·
Francis Drive
3
Turn right onto Alta Sierra Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Alta Sierra Drive
4
Continue on Alta Sierra Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Alta Sierra Drive
5
At end of road, turn left onto CA 49
10 mi
·
13 min
·
CA 49
Use the straight lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto CA 49
107 ft
·
3 sec
·
Grass Valley Highway
7
Continue on CA 49
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Grass Valley Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto CA 49
106 ft
·
3 sec
·
Grass Valley Highway
9
Continue on CA 49
5.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Grass Valley Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 80 West: Sacramento
11
Merge onto I 80
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 80
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
13 mi
·
15 min
·
North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 80
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 80
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 40
Toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 680
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
31 mi
·
35 min
·
Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 12
Toward CA 262
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto CA 262
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Mission Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 880
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 4A
Toward Downtown, North First Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
North 1st Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
28
Turn right onto West Julian Street
494 ft
·
17 sec
·
West Julian Street
29
Turn left onto North Market Street
196 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Market Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.8 miles from Alta Sierra, CA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.3 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Jose, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alta Sierra, 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 Alta Sierra, CA
This is one driving day of about 167.6 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Alta Sierra, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 44.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.8 mi from Alta Sierra, CA · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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
Arriving in San Jose, CA
The final approach into San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.52 one way
$77.04 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $39.70 | $79.39 |
| premium | $6.18 | $40.76 | $81.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.00 | $74.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.60 | $8.04 |
| Efficient EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.67 | $6.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67 | 0 | $23.46 | $10.73 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Destination
San Jose, CA
Night in San Jose on Tuesday
Local time
10:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°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
15 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
3h 23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alta Sierra, CA to San Jose, CA covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Donald D Doyle Highway, Alan S. Hart Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.8 miles from Alta Sierra, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.52 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 167.6 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 1.6 miles (CA 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 97.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Alta Sierra, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Warm Springs District along the way.
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