Origin
San Jose, CA
Evening in San Jose on Thursday
Local time
7:42 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Jose, CA to Stratford, CA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
174.1 mi
280 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Jose, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Stratford, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
This 174.1-mile drive from San Jose, CA to Stratford, CA takes approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Westside Freeway and Pacheco Pass Highway, with about 57% of the route being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $40, and it includes one recommended stop. Given its relatively short duration and mixed driving profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule and a relaxed pace. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region of California, so you'll stay within familiar territory.
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
87 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 174.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive presents a mixed driving profile, blending highway speeds with local road segments. You'll experience a significant portion on highways, accounting for 57% of the total mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 68.2 miles on the Westside Freeway, offering a good period of consistent travel. As you progress, the character of the road will shift, transitioning from the broader Westside Freeway to the Pacheco Pass Highway, which may offer a different driving experience. This variety means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate cruise for the entire journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 68.2 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 0.1 miles in near North San Pedro Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 174.1 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 0.1 miles (North San Pedro Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North San Pedro Street
Turn left onto North San Pedro Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward CA 87 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward CA 87 South
7
6.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward Santa Teresa Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1C
Toward Santa Teresa Boulevard
8
6.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Turn left toward CA 85 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 85 South
6
174 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
Railroad Street
At end of road, turn right onto Railroad Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
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 Stratford, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Hanford along the way.
Hanford
142.1 mi in
|
~2h 44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 68.2 mi | 1h 13m |
| Pacheco Pass Highway | 40.6 mi | 50m |
| West Dorris Avenue | 24.5 mi | 28m |
| US 101 | 20.3 mi | 23m |
| 19 1/2 Avenue | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| CA 85 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| Guadalupe Parkway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Guadalupe Freeway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 68.2 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Stratford, CA.
1
Start on North Market Street
110 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Market Street
2
Turn right onto Devine Street
275 ft
·
17 sec
·
Devine Street
3
Turn left onto North San Pedro Street
306 ft
·
17 sec
·
North San Pedro Street
4
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
West Saint James Street
5
Continue on West Julian Street
356 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Julian Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward CA 87 South
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto CA 87
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Guadalupe Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on CA 87
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Guadalupe Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 1C
Toward Santa Teresa Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 87
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Santa Teresa Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward CA 85 South
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto CA 85
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
CA 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 85
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
CA 85
Exit 1A
Toward US 101 South
14
Continue on US 101
20 mi
·
23 min
·
US 101
15
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
16
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 10th Street
17
Continue on CA 152
41 mi
·
50 min
·
Pacheco Pass Highway
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5: Los Angeles
19
Merge onto I 5
68 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward CA 198: Lemoore, Hanford
21
Keep slight left at fork
141 ft
·
12 sec
22
Turn left onto CA 198
24 mi
·
28 min
·
West Dorris Avenue
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward CA 41: Lemoore, Fresno
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward CA 41 South: Paso Robles
25
Merge onto CA 41
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
19 1/2 Avenue
26
Turn sharp left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Main Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto Railroad Street
32 ft
·
3 sec
·
Railroad Street
28
Turn left onto Main Street
411 ft
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
29
Turn left
64 ft
·
4 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 24-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your single planned stop. With a total distance of 174.1 miles, pacing yourself is key, and knowing that the longest stretch is 68.2 miles helps you plan when to look for amenities. The estimated fuel cost of $40 is a good baseline, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay attention to the transition from the Westside Freeway to Pacheco Pass Highway as this segment may require a shift in your driving style.
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 87 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.2 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87 miles or 1h 45m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stratford, 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 174.1 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 Westside Freeway for about 68.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87 mi from San Jose, CA · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87 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 Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.2 miles.
Arriving in Stratford, CA
The final approach into Stratford, 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 Stratford, 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
$40.02 one way
$80.03 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $41.24 | $82.47 |
| premium | $6.18 | $42.34 | $84.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.44 | $76.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.28 | $8.36 |
| Efficient EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.23 | $6.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.37 | $11.14 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Stratford, CA
Evening in Stratford on Thursday
Local time
7:42 PM
PDT
Current temp
84°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
40 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
3h 24m 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 Stratford, CA covers 174.1 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, Pacheco Pass Highway, West Dorris Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87 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 $40.02 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 23 significant decision points across 174.1 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 0.1 miles (North San Pedro Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from San Jose, CA to Stratford, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Hanford along the way.
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