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Trip from Oakhurst, CA to San Jose, CA

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

3h 37m

Distance

164.4 mi

265 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 25m ★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

census-designated place (CDP) in Madera County, California, United States

Oakhurst, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Santa Clara County, California, United States

San Jose, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Oakhurst, CA to San Jose, CA covers 164.4 miles and takes about 3h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Avenue 23, Road 600, South Valley Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.4 miles on Avenue 23. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.79 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

82.2 miles from Oakhurst, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 164.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive from Oakhurst, CA to San Jose, CA covers 164.4 miles and takes about 3h 37m, 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 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 70.4 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 152.4 miles in near CA 85.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 164.4 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 152.4 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 163 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

9
152.4 mi into trip | ~3h 22m 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
7
157.6 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in

Take the exit toward CA 87 North: Downtown San Jose

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 5A Toward CA 87 North: Downtown San Jose
7
163 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in

Take the exit toward CA 82

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6 Toward CA 82
8
163.2 mi into trip | ~3h 34m 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
163.9 mi into trip | ~3h 36m 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 Oakhurst, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Mountain View along the way.

Mountain View

152.4 mi in | ~3h 22m | via CA 85

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue 23 70.4 mi 1h 25m
Road 600 28.3 mi 39m
South Valley Freeway 19.9 mi 22m
CA 152 12.4 mi 17m
Avenue 21 6.2 mi 10m
CA 85 5.2 mi 6m
CA 49 4.4 mi 7m
Guadalupe Parkway 4.3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Avenue 23 — 70.4 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oakhurst, CA and San Jose, CA.

1

Start on Chapel Hill Drive

96 ft · 8 sec · Chapel Hill Drive
2

Turn left onto Road 425B

161 ft · 7 sec · Road 425B
3

Continue on 426

0.4 mi · 1 min · Road 426
4

Turn left onto CA 41

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Southern Yosemite Highway
5

Turn right onto CA 49

4.4 mi · 7 min · CA 49
6

Turn left onto Road 600

28 mi · 39 min · Road 600
7

Continue on Raymond Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Raymond Road
8

Continue on Avenue 21

6.2 mi · 10 min · Avenue 21
9

Continue on Avenue 20 1/2

3.1 mi · 7 min · Avenue 20 1/2
10

At end of road, turn left onto Avenue 20 1/2

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Avenue 20 1/2
11

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
12

Merge onto CA 99

3.7 mi · 4 min · CA 99
13

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 152

0.4 mi · 27 sec · NB SR 99 to WB 152
Toward CA 152 West
14

Continue on CA 152

0.9 mi · 59 sec · Westbound California State Route 152
15

Continue on CA 152

70 mi · 1 hr 25 min · Avenue 23
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 377B Toward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View Use the slight right lane.
20

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 51 sec
Exit 5A Toward CA 87 North: Downtown San Jose Use 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 6 Toward CA 82 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 51 sec
Toward CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian Street Use the slight left lane.
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward CA 87 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 6B Toward Julian Street Use 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

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 82.2 miles from Oakhurst, CA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.4 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 36 miles or 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.2 miles or 1h 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 1m

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 Oakhurst, 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 Oakhurst, CA

This is one driving day of about 164.4 miles and 3h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Oakhurst, 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 Avenue 23 for about 70.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 82.2 mi from Oakhurst, CA · 1h 55m into the drive

city ​​in Merced County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Los Banos, CA

82 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

Madera Acres, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Los Banos, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.2 miles from Oakhurst, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Avenue 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.4 miles.

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

$37.79 one way

$75.57 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $38.94 $77.88
premium $6.18 $39.98 $79.96
diesel $5.61 $36.30 $72.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.3 0 $17.26 $7.89
Efficient EV 41.1 0 $14.39 $6.58
EV Truck/SUV 65.8 0 $23.02 $10.52

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Oakhurst, CA

Night in Oakhurst on Thursday

Local time

11:15 PM

PDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Jose, CA

Night in San Jose on Thursday

Local time

11:15 PM

PDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Los Banos, CA

82 mi in

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

5 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

3h 37m 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 Oakhurst, CA to San Jose, CA covers 164.4 miles and takes about 3h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue 23, Road 600, South Valley Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.2 miles from Oakhurst, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.79 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 19 significant decision points across 164.4 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 152.4 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 163 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Oakhurst, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Mountain View along the way.

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