Traveling from Maywood to San Jose spans 350.2 miles of California terrain, typically taking about 5 hours and 46 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience drastic shifts in climate, but you should prepare for a significant commitment behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $48 for fuel is a smart move for this one-day trip. While the duration is manageable for a single stint, the turn-heavy nature of the local roads means you will need to stay alert throughout the journey. It is a straightforward trek that works well as a solo day trip if you prefer to get to your destination without splitting your travel time.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
173.9 miles from Maywood, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 347.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate through Atlantic Boulevard, I-710 North, and the Long Beach Freeway to find your way toward the Bay Area. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch on Atlantic Boulevard is 0 miles, you should anticipate constant adjustments and frequent turns rather than long periods of cruising. This profile demands your full attention, as the road character shifts away from standard highway driving. It is a practical route that favors local navigation over high-speed transit, making it a unique experience compared to typical freeway-heavy California commutes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 182.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.2 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 347.8 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 32.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 335.9 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
32.2 mi into trip|~39m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
7
92.1 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
9
335.9 mi into trip|~6h 18m in|CA 85
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 85 toward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 377B
Toward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
8
346.6 mi into trip|~6h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian...
9
347.4 mi into trip|~6h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Julian Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6B
Toward Julian 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 Maywood, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Hollister along the way.
Hollister
274.6 mi in|~5h 3m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
182.5 mi
3h 15m
Golden State Freeway
50 mi
57m
CA 152
41.1 mi
51m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi
22m
CA 85
5.2 mi
6m
Guadalupe Parkway
4.3 mi
5m
Santa Ana Freeway
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 182.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maywood, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on this road
78 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Atlantic Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight left
360 ft·15 sec
Toward I 710 North: Pasadena
4
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·33 sec·this road
Toward I 710 North: Long Beach FreewayUse the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 710
0.8 mi·55 sec·Long Beach Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 North: Los AngelesUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 5
1.8 mi·2 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi·29 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
183 mi·3 hr 15 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 403BToward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
15
Continue on CA 152; CA33
29 mi·33 min·CA 152; CA33
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi·16 min·CA 152
17
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi·1 min·CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
18
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi·22 min·South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 85
5.2 mi·6 min·CA 85
Exit 377BToward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain ViewUse the slight right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·51 sec
Exit 5AToward CA 87 North: Downtown San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on CA 87
4.3 mi·5 min·Guadalupe Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on CA 87
0.4 mi·29 sec·Guadalupe Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 6Toward CA 82Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·51 sec
Toward CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian StreetUse the slight left lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward CA 87 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 6BToward Julian StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·West Saint James Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn left onto North Market Street
416 ft·8 sec·North Market Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
For a drive of this length and complexity, planning your departure time is essential to avoid unnecessary fatigue. Since the route requires one stop to handle the 350.2-mile distance, identify a mid-point where you can stretch your legs and refresh. Keep your $48 fuel budget in mind when selecting your stops, as local road driving can sometimes lead to varying fuel consumption rates. Because there is no highway-heavy cruising to rely on, stay focused on local signage and traffic patterns. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize your GPS navigation tools early on, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads makes staying on track vital to maintaining your 5-hour and 46-minute arrival estimate.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 173.9 miles from Maywood, CA, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.5 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 77 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.9 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 19m
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 Maywood, 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 Maywood, CA
This is one driving day of about 347.8 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Maywood, 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 Westside Freeway for about 182.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 173.9 mi from Maywood, CA
· 3h 15m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 95.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$79.94 one way
$159.88 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$82.38
$164.75
premium
$6.18
$84.58
$169.16
diesel
$5.61
$76.79
$153.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$80
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
8 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Lebec, California
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Burbank, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Lebec, California
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Castaic, California
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Lebec, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Burbank, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EVmatch Charging Station
Sun Valley, California
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Burbank, California
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 4
Other: 2
Tesla: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.3
1
$36.52
$16.69
Efficient EV
87
0
$30.43
$13.91
EV Truck/SUV
139.1
1
$48.69
$22.26
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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
Maywood, CA
Evening
in Maywood on Thursday
Local time
8:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Jose, CA
Evening
in San Jose on Thursday
Local time
8:11 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
29 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
6h 33m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Maywood, CA to San Jose, CA covers 347.8 miles and takes about 6h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Golden State Freeway, CA 152. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 173.9 miles from Maywood, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $79.94 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 347.8 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 32.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.1 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 335.9 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Maywood, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Hollister along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
