Skip to main content

Trip from San Jose, CA to Strawberry, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 22m

Distance

59.9 mi

96 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 16m ★
6 AM
1h 23m
8 AM
1h 36m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 26m
3 PM
1h 28m
5 PM
1h 35m
8 PM
1h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city and county seat of Santa Clara County, California, United States

San Jose, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Strawberry, CA, CA

Strawberry, CA

Rashed Paykary

Trip Overview

This 59.9-mile drive from San Jose, CA, to Strawberry, CA, is an easy day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes. You'll be on highways for about 80% of the journey, primarily using US 101, the Bayshore Freeway, and the Redwood Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this route is budget-friendly. The drive offers a highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward and efficient way to travel between these two points within the Pacific Coast region. Given its short duration, you won't need to worry about overnight stays.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 59.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with 80% of your journey utilizing major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 35.8 miles on US 101, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the majority of the drive is on well-maintained highways like the Bayshore Freeway and Redwood Highway, the consistent road type means you'll experience a fairly uniform driving environment throughout. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic exploration.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 101 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 101 and Bayshore Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.9 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles (US 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in

Take the ramp toward CA 87 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward CA 87 North
8
3.2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 101 North: San Francisco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 9B Toward US 101 North: San Francisco
6
11.3 mi into trip | ~14m in | US 101

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
7
47.8 mi into trip | ~58m in | Fell Street

At end of road, turn left onto Fell Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
58.7 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in

Take the exit toward Seminary Drive

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 446 Toward Seminary Drive

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 101 35.8 mi 42m
Bayshore Freeway 7.5 mi 8m
Redwood Highway 4.6 mi 6m
Guadalupe Freeway 2.8 mi 3m
Presidio Parkway 1.8 mi 3m
Golden Gate Bridge 1.7 mi 2m
Webster Street 1 mi 2m
Divisadero Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 101 — 35.8 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Strawberry, 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 · 17 sec · West Saint James Street
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward CA 87 North Use the right lane.
6

Merge onto CA 87

2.8 mi · 3 min · Guadalupe Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 9B Toward US 101 North: San Francisco Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward US 101 North: San Francisco
9

Merge onto US 101

7.5 mi · 8 min · Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 101

36 mi · 42 min · US 101
Use the slight left lane.
11

Continue on Octavia Boulevard

0.7 mi · 1 min · Octavia Boulevard
Exit 434B Toward Octavia Boulevard, Fell Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

At end of road, turn left onto Fell Street

0.3 mi · 58 sec · Fell Street
Use the left lane.
13

Turn right onto Webster Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · Webster Street
14

Turn left onto California Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · California Street
15

Turn right onto Divisadero Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Divisadero Street
16

Turn left onto US 101

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Lombard Street
Use the left lane.
17

Continue on US 101

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Richardson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Continue on US 101

1.8 mi · 3 min · Presidio Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on US 101

1.7 mi · 2 min · Golden Gate Bridge
20

Continue on US 101; CA 1

4.6 mi · 6 min · Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 446 Toward Seminary Drive Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn left onto Redwood Highway Frontage Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Redwood Highway Frontage Road
23

Turn right onto Belvedere Drive

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Belvedere Drive
24

Turn right onto Reed Boulevard

364 ft · 16 sec · Reed Boulevard
25

Continue on Reed Boulevard

34 ft · 1 sec · Reed Boulevard
26

Continue on Reed Boulevard

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Reed Boulevard
27

Turn right onto Inez Place

308 ft · 13 sec · Inez Place
28

Arrive at destination

Inez Place

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 30 mi from San Jose, CA · 36m into the drive

consolidated city and county in California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

San Francisco, CA

30 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.

Popular next leg

San Francisco, CA to Strawberry, CA

12.9 mi · 26m

Pacing Suggestions

Palo Alto, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

San Bruno, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30 miles from San Jose, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Strawberry, CA

The final approach into Strawberry, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.77 one way

$27.54 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $14.19 $28.37
premium $6.18 $14.57 $29.13
diesel $5.61 $13.23 $26.45

Estimated Tolls: $9.00

Golden Gate Bridge $9.00

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$14

Tolls

$9

Total

$23

Estimated CO2 emission: 21 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18 0 $6.29 $2.88
Efficient EV 15 0 $5.24 $2.40
EV Truck/SUV 24 0 $8.39 $3.83

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

San Jose, CA

Late night in San Jose on Friday

Local time

3:28 AM

PDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Strawberry, CA

Late night in Strawberry on Friday

Local time

3:28 AM

PDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 22m 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 Strawberry, CA covers 59.9 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 101, Bayshore Freeway, Redwood Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 30 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 $13.77 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.9 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles (US 101): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from San Jose, CA to Strawberry, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from San Jose, CA or browse trips ending in Strawberry, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.