Origin
Modesto, CA
Afternoon in Modesto on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Modesto, CA to San Jose, CA
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
81.5 mi
131 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Modesto, CA
Stephen Leonardi
San Jose, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Modesto to San Jose covers a distance of 82.8 miles, typically taking about 1 hour and 28 minutes to complete. This journey stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region of California, making it a straightforward excursion that easily fits into a single day. With a fuel budget of approximately $11, this trip is quite economical for solo travelers or small groups. Because the route is relatively short, there is no need to worry about overnight logistics or mid-way lodging. Navigating this path requires a bit of focus, as you will transition through local streets before heading onto CA 120 West to reach your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
40.7 miles from Modesto, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features zero percent highway sharing. You will start by navigating H Street and 6th Street, which sets a slower, localized pace for the beginning of your journey. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches—with the longest segment on H Street measuring zero miles—this drive demands your constant attention behind the wheel. The experience is defined by the technical nature of local roads rather than high-speed cruising. Plan for a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 14 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Robert T. Monagan Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 81.5 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 50.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.4 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.
8
50.4 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
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 51
Toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
6
60.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
7
69.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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
69.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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
79.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m 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 Along This Route
Between Modesto, CA and San Jose, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco and Warm Springs District.
San Francisco
14.7 mi in
|
~18m
Warm Springs District
69.5 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 99 | 14 mi | 16m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 13.9 mi | 15m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| I 680 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| CA 120 | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| Vallecitos Road | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Isabel Avenue | 4.7 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
CA 99
— 14 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Modesto, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on 11th Street
81 ft
·
10 sec
·
11th Street
2
Turn left onto H Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
H Street
3
Turn right onto 6th Street
486 ft
·
15 sec
·
6th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
5
Merge onto CA 99
14 mi
·
16 min
·
CA 99
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
7
Merge onto CA 120
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 5
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Westside Freeway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
10
Continue on I 580
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 51
Toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto CA 84
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Isabel Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 84
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Vallecitos Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
15
Merge onto I 680
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 12
Toward CA 262
Use the slight right lane.
17
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.
18
Merge onto CA 262
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Mission Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 880
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 4A
Toward Downtown, North First Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
North 1st Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
22
Turn right onto West Julian Street
494 ft
·
17 sec
·
West Julian Street
23
Turn left onto North Market Street
196 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Market Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 82.8-mile trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule best. While the drive is short enough to handle in one go without scheduled stops, keeping your fuel tank in mind will help you stay within your $11 estimated budget. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, as navigation can be more demanding than a standard highway route. Being prepared for frequent turns through the local streets will make your journey much smoother. Use the time saved by the short duration to enjoy your arrival in San Jose without the fatigue that often comes with longer interstate travel.
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 40.7 miles from Modesto, CA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.7 miles or 48m 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 24m
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 Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA
This is one driving day of about 81.5 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Modesto, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on CA 99 for about 14 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.7 mi from Modesto, CA · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.7 miles from Modesto, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$18.87 one way
$37.75 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $19.46 | $38.93 |
| premium | $6.24 | $20.03 | $40.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.11 | $36.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.56 | $3.91 |
| Efficient EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.13 | $3.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.6 | 0 | $11.41 | $5.22 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Afternoon in San Jose on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°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
20 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 41m 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 Modesto, CA to San Jose, CA covers 81.5 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, Robert T. Monagan Freeway, Arthur H. Breed Junior 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 40.7 miles from Modesto, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.87 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 is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 81.5 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 50.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Modesto, CA and San Jose, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco and Warm Springs District.
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