Drive Time
6h 34m
Distance
345.7 mi
556 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
Photo: Gu Bra
The drive from San Jose, CA to Willow Creek, CA covers 345.7 miles and takes about 6h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Coleman Avenue, I 880 North, Nimitz Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.96 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
172.8 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 34m drive with frequent turns across 345.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Coleman Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 880 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Nimitz Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sacramento | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 680 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Benicia-Martinez Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Luther E Gibson Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Willow Creek, CA.
Start on North Market Street
Continue on Coleman Avenue
Take the ramp right toward I 880 North: Oakland
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward Sacramento
Take the exit straight toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 North: Sacramento
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight right to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight right to continue on Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Continue on Luther E Gibson Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
Keep slight left to continue on I 505 North: Winters, Redding
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
Keep slight left to continue on CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Merge slight left
Turn right onto Pine Street
Turn left onto Eureka Way
Continue straight
Turn right onto Bigfoot Scenic Byway
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.8 miles or 3h 17m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Willow Creek, CA than in the middle of the route.
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 345.7 miles and 6h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 172.8 mi from San Jose, CA · 3h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 172.8 miles from San Jose, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Willow Creek, 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 Willow Creek, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$46.96 one way
$93.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $52.40 | $104.80 |
| premium | $4.15 | $56.48 | $112.96 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $51.04 | $102.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.7 | 1 | $36.30 | $16.59 |
| Efficient EV | 86.4 | 0 | $30.25 | $13.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.3 | 1 | $48.40 | $22.12 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in San Jose on Saturday
Local time
7:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Willow Creek on Saturday
Local time
7:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
49°F
Red Bluff, CA
173 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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