Origin
San Jose, CA
Afternoon in San Jose on Sunday
Local time
3:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Jose, CA to Concord, CA
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
52.4 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Jose, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Concord, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Spanning 52.4 miles, this direct route from San Jose to Concord takes approximately 1 hour and 4 minutes to complete. You will primarily navigate via Coleman Avenue and I-880 North, also known as the Nimitz Freeway, to bridge these two Pacific Coast locations. Because the journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a one-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. With a modest fuel cost of about $7, it is an economical commute that offers straightforward travel between the two cities. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this trip is manageable and efficient for any driver.
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
26.2 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you transition from the city streets of San Jose onto the main arterial roads. While you will spend time on the Nimitz Freeway, the route is characterized more by its technical, local nature than by long, uninterrupted highway stretches. In fact, there is no significant highway-only section, as the longest stretch consists of 0 miles on Coleman Avenue. You should prepare for a mix of urban navigation and freeway driving that requires your full attention. The road's personality remains practical and functional rather than scenic, focusing on getting you from point A to point B without unnecessary detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 680 and I 880. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 52.4 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 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 11 key pointsThese 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
9
50.3 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
CA 242
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 242 toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 50
Toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
8
51 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward Clayton Road, Concord
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1
Toward Clayton Road, Concord
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from San Jose, CA to Concord, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.
Sacramento
10.9 mi in
|
~14m
|
via CA 262
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 680 | 37.3 mi | 42m |
| I 880 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| CA 262 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Coleman Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Willow Pass Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| CA 242 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 680
— 37.3 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Concord, 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 right at fork onto CA 242
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
CA 242
Exit 50
Toward CA 242 North: Concord, Pittsburg
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 1
Toward Clayton Road, Concord
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto Market Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Market Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Willow Pass Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Willow Pass Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
Willow Pass Road
Trip Plan
Since this 52.4-mile trip is quite short, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility. You can easily complete the drive in a single session without needing to plan for rest stops, as the duration is just over an hour. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on the Nimitz Freeway can impact your travel time, so check local conditions before you depart to ensure a smooth transition. Budgeting $7 for fuel is a safe estimate, but always keep a little extra set aside for potential idling in traffic. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert during the turn-heavy segments on local roads, as these require more frequent gear shifts or speed adjustments than standard highway cruising.
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 26.2 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 32m 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 52.4 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.2 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, 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 52.4 miles and 1h 4m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
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 26.2 mi from San Jose, CA · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 52.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.2 miles from San Jose, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Concord, CA
The final approach into Concord, 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 Concord, 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
$12.13 one way
$24.27 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $12.51 | $25.03 |
| premium | $6.24 | $12.88 | $25.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.64 | $23.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.50 | $2.52 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.59 | $2.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21 | 0 | $7.34 | $3.35 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Concord, CA
Afternoon in Concord on Sunday
Local time
3:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°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
19 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
1h 4m 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 Concord, CA covers 52.4 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 680, I 880, CA 262. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.2 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 $12.13 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 11 significant decision points across 52.4 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 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 Concord, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.
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