Spanning 52.9 miles, this straightforward trek from San Jose to Tracy typically takes about 1 hour and 9 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance and duration, it serves as an ideal day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend approximately $7 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly transit between these two Pacific Coast locations. The route relies on a combination of Coleman Avenue and I-880 North, also known as the Nimitz Freeway. It is a practical connection that gets you from the heart of the South Bay into the Central Valley area efficiently. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a direct path without unnecessary complications.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 9m. Total distance: 52.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will utilize the Nimitz Freeway, the route is characterized by a high volume of local navigation rather than long-range highway stretches. In fact, there is no significant highway-dominant share, and the longest uninterrupted segment is found on Coleman Avenue. You should be prepared for a more active driving experience that demands your attention at intersections and turns. Navigating these local roads requires a steady hand, contrasting with the typical long, straight highway hauls found elsewhere in California.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
724 ft20 ft
Total Climb
1,104 ft
Total Descent
1,134 ft
Highest Point
724 ft
~37.8 mi in
Elevation Range
704 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway 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.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 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 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These 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
6
12.5 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 680 North: 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
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 Tracy, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento and Stockton.
Sacramento
10.9 mi in|~14m|via CA 262
Stockton
44.7 mi in|~57m|via I 205
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi
14m
I 880
8.5 mi
9m
I 680
8.5 mi
9m
CA 84
5.5 mi
7m
Isabel Avenue
4.3 mi
6m
I 205 Bus
4.3 mi
6m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
3.9 mi
4m
CA 262
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
— 12.9 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Tracy, 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: OaklandUse 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 12AToward SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse 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 21BToward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos RoadUse 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: StocktonUse 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 right at fork onto I 205 Bus
4.3 mi·6 min·I 205 Bus
Toward Eleventh Street
16
Arrive at destination
I 205 Bus
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.4 mi from San Jose, CA
· 34m into the drive
The midpoint is around 26.4 miles from San Jose, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tracy, CA
The final approach into Tracy, 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
$12.16 one way
$24.32 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg19 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$12.53
$25.06
premium
$6.18
$12.86
$25.73
diesel
$5.61
$11.68
$23.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
15.9
0
$5.55
$2.54
Efficient EV
13.2
0
$4.63
$2.12
EV Truck/SUV
21.2
0
$7.41
$3.39
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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 13, 2026
Origin
San Jose, CA
Afternoon
in San Jose on Thursday
Local time
2:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Areas Of Fog
SSE 2 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Tracy, CA
Afternoon
in Tracy on Thursday
Local time
2:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°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
25 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 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Tracy, CA covers 52.9 miles and takes about 1h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, I 880, I 680. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.4 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 $12.16 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 52.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 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 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between San Jose, CA and Tracy, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento and Stockton.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 20 ft to 724 ft elevation with about 1,104 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial.
