Origin
San Jose, CA
Afternoon in San Jose on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Jose, CA to Clearlake, CA
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
144.2 mi
232 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 52m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Jose, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Clearlake, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
Traveling from San Jose to Clearlake covers approximately 144.2 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 3 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $20 for fuel to complete the trip. The route begins in the Pacific Coast region and concludes within the same coastal area, keeping the environmental transition consistent. Since you only need to plan for one stop, the itinerary remains straightforward and manageable for most drivers. It is a practical choice if you are looking to move between these two California locations efficiently.
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
72.1 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While your path includes segments on Coleman Avenue, I-880 North, and the Nimitz Freeway, the overall highway share is 0%, emphasizing the winding, local nature of the roads. You will find that there is no single long-distance uninterrupted stretch, as the longest segment is 0 miles on Coleman Avenue, requiring you to stay attentive to constant changes in direction. This lack of highway-heavy driving means you should prepare for a more hands-on experience behind the wheel. The road’s personality is defined by its technical layout, demanding your full focus as you navigate the local infrastructure.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 680 is the longest continuous segment at about 37.3 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 12.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 144.2 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 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
8
65.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East: Sacramento
8
67.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward CA 37: Napa, Novato, Auto Mall, Columbus Parkway
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 33
Toward CA 37: Napa, Novato, Auto Mall, Columbus...
8
70 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward CA 29: Napa, Sonoma Boulevard
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 19
Toward CA 29: Napa, Sonoma Boulevard
Towns Along This Route
Between San Jose, CA and Clearlake, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento, Novato and Auto Mall.
Sacramento
10.9 mi in
|
~14m
|
via CA 262
Novato
67.9 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Auto Mall
67.9 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 680 | 37.3 mi | 42m |
| Saint Helena Highway | 28.6 mi | 33m |
| Lake County Highway | 20.5 mi | 30m |
| CA 29 | 10.4 mi | 15m |
| I 880 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| I 780 | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| Broadway Street | 4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 680
— 37.3 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Clearlake, 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: Oakland
Use 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 12A
Toward Sacramento
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Use 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, Sacramento
Use 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 left at fork onto I 780
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 780
Toward I 780: Benicia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Sacramento
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 80 East: Sacramento
Use the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 80
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 33
Toward CA 37: Napa, Novato, Auto Mall, Columbus Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 37: Napa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 37
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 37
Toward CA 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 19
Toward CA 29: Napa, Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto CA 29
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Sonoma Boulevard
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Broadway Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on CA 29
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Napa–Vallejo Highway
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Saint Helena Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
26
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Saint Helena Highway
27
Turn right onto CA 29
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
28
Continue on CA 29
21 mi
·
30 min
·
Lake County Highway
29
Enter roundabout onto CA 29
239 ft
·
4 sec
·
CA 29
30
Continue on CA 29
10 mi
·
15 min
·
CA 29
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on CA 53
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
CA 53
32
Turn left onto Polk Avenue
331 ft
·
18 sec
·
Polk Avenue
33
Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Lincoln Avenue
34
Continue on Duncan Avenue
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Duncan Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
Duncan Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 144.2-mile trek, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic on the local roads that define this turn-heavy route. Since the drive takes just over 3 hours, you have the flexibility to leave in the morning or early afternoon and still reach Clearlake comfortably before dark. Use your one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the constant turns can make for a more tiring experience than a standard highway drive. Keep your $20 fuel budget in mind when selecting a service station, as local fuel prices can fluctuate. A concrete tip for this route is to prioritize your vehicle's tire pressure and alignment before leaving, as the technical, winding nature of the roads will be much smoother if your car is properly maintained.
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 72.1 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.1 miles or 1h 27m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearlake, 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 144.2 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 I 680 for about 37.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.1 mi from San Jose, CA · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 72.1 miles from San Jose, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clearlake, CA
The final approach into Clearlake, 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 Clearlake, 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
$33.39 one way
$66.79 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $34.44 | $68.88 |
| premium | $6.24 | $35.44 | $70.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.04 | $64.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.14 | $6.92 |
| Efficient EV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.62 | $5.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.19 | $9.23 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Clearlake, CA
Afternoon in Clearlake on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°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
23 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 3m 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 San Jose, CA to Clearlake, CA covers 144.2 miles and takes about 3h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 680, Saint Helena Highway, Lake County Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.1 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 $33.39 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 24 significant decision points across 144.2 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 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between San Jose, CA and Clearlake, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento, Novato and Auto Mall.
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