The drive from San Jose, CA to Auburn Lake Trails, CA covers 160.6 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, I 680, Alan S. Hart Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44.4 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.91 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
80.3 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 160.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from San Jose, CA to Auburn Lake Trails, CA covers 160.6 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 36 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 44.4 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 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 160.6 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 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 880 North: Oakland
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
7
10.9 mi into trip|~14m in|CA 262
Take the exit onto CA 262 toward Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12A
Toward Sacramento
8
12.7 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
8
50.3 mi into trip|~1h in|I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
7
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 71A
Toward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacram...
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 San Jose, CA to Auburn Lake Trails, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.
Sacramento
10.9 mi in|~14m|via CA 262
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
44.4 mi
51m
I 680
37.3 mi
42m
Alan S. Hart Freeway
17.3 mi
20m
North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
13.3 mi
15m
Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi
13m
I 880
8.5 mi
9m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
7.9 mi
9m
El Dorado Street
6 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 44.4 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Auburn Lake Trails, CA.
1
Start on North Market Street
196 ft·8 sec·North Market Street
2
Continue on Coleman Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Coleman Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 880 North: OaklandUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 880
8.5 mi·9 min·I 880
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
0.6 mi·41 sec·Nimitz Freeway
6
Take the exit onto CA 262
1.6 mi·2 min·CA 262
Exit 12AToward SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse the straight lane.
9
Merge onto I 680
37 mi·42 min·I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
6.0 mi·6 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
243 ft·3 sec·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
1.8 mi·2 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
0.4 mi·26 sec·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
14
Continue on I 680
12 mi·13 min·Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 71AToward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
16
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
1.7 mi·1 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi·31 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi·4 min·Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
13 mi·14 min·North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Toward I 80 East: RenoUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
0.8 mi·55 sec·North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 80
7.0 mi·8 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 80
17 mi·20 min·Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 119CToward CA 49 South: PlacervilleUse the right lane.
25
Turn left onto CA 49
0.1 mi·34 sec·Elm Avenue
26
Turn left onto CA 49
0.2 mi·29 sec·El Dorado Street
Use the left lane.
27
Enter roundabout onto CA 49
103 ft·3 sec·El Dorado Street
28
Continue on CA 49
2.3 mi·5 min·El Dorado Street
29
Continue on CA 49
3.6 mi·7 min·El Dorado Street
30
Continue on CA 49
102 ft·9 sec·CA 49
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto CA 193
2.2 mi·3 min·Georgetown Road
Use the left lane.
32
Turn left onto Sweetwater Trail
1.6 mi·6 min·Sweetwater Trail
33
Turn right onto Hidden Gold Trail
0.1 mi·38 sec·Hidden Gold Trail
34
Turn left onto Brown Bear Trail
0.5 mi·1 min·Brown Bear Trail
35
Turn left onto Cascade Trail
0.2 mi·39 sec·Cascade Trail
36
Arrive at destination
Cascade Trail
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 80.3 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.4 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.3 miles or 1h 35m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn Lake Trails, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA
This is one driving day of about 160.6 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from San Jose, 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 44.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.3 mi from San Jose, CA
· 1h 35m into the drive
The midpoint is around 80.3 miles from San Jose, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Auburn Lake Trails, CA
The final approach into Auburn Lake Trails, 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 Auburn Lake Trails, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 55.4
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 55.4
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 44.3
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
$15
near mile 55.4
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 55.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.91 one way
$73.83 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$38.04
$76.08
premium
$6.18
$39.06
$78.11
diesel
$5.61
$35.46
$70.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.2
0
$16.86
$7.71
Efficient EV
40.2
0
$14.05
$6.42
EV Truck/SUV
64.2
0
$22.48
$10.28
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
San Jose, CA
Afternoon
in San Jose on Friday
Local time
2:12 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
NNW 5 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:32AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Destination
Auburn Lake Trails, CA
Afternoon
in Auburn Lake Trails on Friday
Local time
2:12 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°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
26 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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from San Jose, CA to Auburn Lake Trails, CA covers 160.6 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, I 680, Alan S. Hart Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.3 miles from San Jose, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.91 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 25 significant decision points across 160.6 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 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from San Jose, CA to Auburn Lake Trails, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
