Origin
San Jose, CA
Afternoon in San Jose on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Jose, CA to Modesto, CA
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
82.2 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Jose, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Modesto, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Spanning 83 miles from San Jose to Modesto, this trip typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes to complete. Because of the relatively short distance, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the journey between these two Pacific Coast locations. The route relies heavily on local thoroughfares like Coleman Avenue and the I-880 North, also known as the Nimitz Freeway. Whether you are commuting or exploring, this straightforward drive offers a practical connection between these California cities.
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
41.1 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating local infrastructure rather than sustained high-speed stretches. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 0-mile stretch on Coleman Avenue, highlighting the frequent turns inherent to this path. As you transition from the urban landscape of San Jose toward Modesto, the road maintains a technical feel. You will find that the lack of prolonged highway travel keeps the journey engaging 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 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Robert T. Monagan Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 14.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Robert T. Monagan Freeway and CA 99. 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 20 significant decision points across 82.2 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 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 20 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
8
21.5 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
CA 84
Take the exit onto CA 84 toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
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 21B
Toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
8
66.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
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 6
Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
Towns Along This Route
Between San Jose, CA and Modesto, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento, Stockton, Sonora and Fresno.
Sacramento
10.9 mi in
|
~14m
|
via CA 262
Stockton
44.7 mi in
|
~57m
|
via I 205
Sonora
60.3 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Fresno
66.6 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| CA 99 | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| I 880 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| I 680 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| CA 120 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| CA 84 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Isabel Avenue | 4.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
— 14.6 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Modesto, 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
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto CA 84
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 84
Exit 21B
Toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto CA 84
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Isabel Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 580 East: Stockton
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 580
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
16
Merge onto I 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Westside Freeway
17
Take the exit
469 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CA 120 East: Manteca, Sonora
18
Continue on CA 120
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6
Toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto CA 99
14 mi
·
16 min
·
CA 99
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward 6th Street, G Street
22
Turn straight onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
5th Street
23
Turn left onto G Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
G Street
24
Turn left onto 11th Street
400 ft
·
17 sec
·
11th Street
25
Arrive at destination
11th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 41 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since there are no scheduled stops required for this 83-mile trip, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing extended breaks. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route makes it a more active driving experience than a typical highway sprint. If you are sensitive to frequent maneuvering, ensure your vehicle is ready for a stop-and-go pace. Always double-check your navigation before leaving San Jose, as the reliance on local roads like Coleman Avenue requires steady focus on upcoming turns.
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 41.1 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 53m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Modesto, 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 82.2 miles and 1h 42m.
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 Robert T. Monagan Freeway for about 14.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.1 mi from San Jose, CA · 53m 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 41.1 miles from San Jose, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Modesto, CA
The final approach into Modesto, 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 Modesto, 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
$19.04 one way
$38.07 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $19.63 | $39.26 |
| premium | $6.24 | $20.20 | $40.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.26 | $36.52 |
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: 28.8 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 | 24.7 | 0 | $8.63 | $3.95 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.19 | $3.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.51 | $5.26 |
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
Modesto, CA
Afternoon in Modesto on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°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 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 42m 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 Modesto, CA covers 82.2 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Robert T. Monagan Freeway, CA 99, 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 41.1 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 $19.04 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 82.2 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 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.
Between San Jose, CA and Modesto, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento, Stockton, Sonora and Fresno.
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