Origin
San Jose, CA
Morning in San Jose on Thursday
Local time
11:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Jose, CA to Pine Hills, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 23m
Distance
315.1 mi
507 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$72
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 11m
★
6 AM
6h 24m
8 AM
6h 49m
10 AM
6h 33m
12 PM
6h 30m
3 PM
6h 34m
5 PM
6h 48m
8 PM
6h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Jose, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Pine Hills, CA
David McElwee
Trip Overview
The drive from San Jose, CA to Pine Hills, CA covers 315.1 miles and takes about 6h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Redwood Highway, I 880, Nimitz Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 244.7 miles on Redwood Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $72.42 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
157.5 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 315.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 23m drive with frequent turns across 315.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Redwood Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 244.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 315.1 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 10.3 miles (I 880 / Nimitz Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.9 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
6
10.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 880 / Nimitz Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880 / Nimitz Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
22.9 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
I 880
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
40.8 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 880 / Nimitz Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880 / Nimitz Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
48.3 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580 West: Point Richmond, San Rafael
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13B
Toward I 580 West: Point Richmond, San Rafael
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Jose, CA and Pine Hills, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento and San Rafael.
Sacramento
43.1 mi in
|
~51m
|
via I 880
San Rafael
48.3 mi in
|
~58m
|
via I 580
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood Highway | 244.7 mi | 4h 55m |
| I 880 | 26.4 mi | 30m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 16.8 mi | 20m |
| John T. Knox Freeway | 12.9 mi | 17m |
| Willits Bypass | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Eastshore Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Elk River Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Coleman Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 244.7 mi, about 4h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Pine Hills, 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
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
18 mi
·
20 min
·
I 880
Use the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 880
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Exit 46B
Toward I 80 East, I 580 West: San Rafael, Sacramento
9
Continue on I 80; I 580
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
13 mi
·
17 min
·
John T. Knox Freeway
Exit 13B
Toward I 580 West: Point Richmond, San Rafael
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 1A
Toward US 101 North: San Rafeal
12
Merge onto US 101
116 mi
·
2 hr 18 min
·
Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 101
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
15
Merge onto US 101
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Willits Bypass
16
Continue on US 101
128 mi
·
2 hr 37 min
·
Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Herrick Avenue, Elk River Road
18
Turn right onto Herrick Avenue
250 ft
·
7 sec
·
Herrick Avenue
19
Turn right onto Elk River Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Elk River Road
20
Turn straight onto Ridgewood Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Ridgewood Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Walnut Drive
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.5 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.7 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 69 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.5 miles or 3h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pine Hills, 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 315.1 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 Redwood Highway for about 244.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 157.5 mi from San Jose, CA · 3h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 157.5 miles from San Jose, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Redwood Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 244.7 miles.
Arriving in Pine Hills, CA
The final approach into Pine Hills, 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 Pine Hills, CA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.42 one way
$144.85 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $74.63 | $149.26 |
| premium | $6.18 | $76.63 | $153.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $69.57 | $139.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.5 | 1 | $33.09 | $15.12 |
| Efficient EV | 78.8 | 0 | $27.57 | $12.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126 | 1 | $44.11 | $20.17 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Pine Hills, CA
Morning in Pine Hills on Thursday
Local time
11:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Fort Bragg, CA
158 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
11 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
6h 23m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Pine Hills, CA covers 315.1 miles and takes about 6h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Redwood Highway, I 880, Nimitz Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 157.5 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 $72.42 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 315.1 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 10.3 miles (I 880 / Nimitz Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.9 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between San Jose, CA and Pine Hills, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento and San Rafael.
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