Origin
San Jose, CA
Afternoon in San Jose on Sunday
Local time
1:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Jose, CA to Yuba City, CA
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
148.6 mi
239 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 52m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Jose, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Yuba City, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from San Jose to Yuba City covers approximately 148.6 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 3 minutes. Because this is a relatively straightforward journey within the Pacific Coast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget around $20 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly excursion. The path primarily utilizes Coleman Avenue, I-880 North, and the Nimitz Freeway to transition between these two California cities. Since you are staying within the same region, you won't experience a drastic change in climate or geography, but the transition from the heart of the Bay Area to the more agricultural landscape of Yuba City is noticeable. Overall, this is a manageable drive for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
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
74.3 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. While you will spend time on the Nimitz Freeway and I-880 North, the route is characterized by its local navigation, meaning you won't find long, monotonous highway stretches here. In fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Coleman Avenue, indicating that you will be navigating various turns and transitions throughout the journey. Because the highway share is 0%, your focus will be on local road conditions and traffic patterns. You will feel a shift from the dense urban connectivity of San Jose into the varied road network leading toward Yuba City, requiring you to remain alert at the wheel.
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.
I 680 is the longest continuous segment at about 37.3 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 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 148.6 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 10.9 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 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
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
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
50.3 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
8
99.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
CA 113 / Vic Fazio Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 113 / Vic Fazio Highway toward CA 113 North: Woodland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 70
Toward CA 113 North: Woodland
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from San Jose, CA to Yuba City, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.
Sacramento
10.9 mi in
|
~14m
|
via CA 262
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 680 | 37.3 mi | 42m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 28.9 mi | 33m |
| CA 113 | 17.4 mi | 23m |
| Luther E Gibson Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Vic Fazio Highway | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| CA 99 | 9 mi | 11m |
| I 880 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| County Road 102 | 8 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 680
— 37.3 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Yuba City, 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
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Nimitz Freeway
6
Take the exit onto CA 262
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 262
Exit 12A
Toward Sacramento
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Use the straight lane.
9
Merge onto I 680
37 mi
·
42 min
·
I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 680
243 ft
·
3 sec
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
14
Continue on I 680
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 71A
Toward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
16
Merge onto I 80; CA 12
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 113
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Vic Fazio Highway
Exit 70
Toward CA 113 North: Woodland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 37
Toward I 5 South: Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto I 5 BUS
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto E8
227 ft
·
9 sec
·
County Road 102
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on E8
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
County Road 102
23
Continue on CA 113
17 mi
·
23 min
·
CA 113
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward CA 99 North: Yuba City
Use the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto CA 99
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto Bridge Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Bridge Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Plumas Street
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
Plumas Street
28
Turn right
151 ft
·
16 sec
29
Turn left
117 ft
·
8 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, try to time your departure to avoid peak commute hours in the Bay Area, which can significantly impact your travel time. You are limited to just one stop on this route, so plan your break strategically to maximize your comfort. Since fuel costs are estimated at $20, fill up before you leave San Jose to avoid higher prices along the more rural segments of the drive. The flexibility of this shorter trip means you can easily adjust your pace to suit your personal schedule. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on your GPS navigation early on, as the reliance on local roads like Coleman Avenue requires more frequent attention than a standard highway route.
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 74.3 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.3 miles or 1h 28m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yuba City, 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 148.6 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 I 680 for about 37.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.3 mi from San Jose, CA · 1h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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
Arriving in Yuba City, CA
The final approach into Yuba City, 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 Yuba City, 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
$34.41 one way
$68.82 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $35.49 | $70.98 |
| premium | $6.24 | $36.52 | $73.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.01 | $66.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.60 | $7.13 |
| Efficient EV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.00 | $5.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.4 | 0 | $20.80 | $9.51 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Yuba City, CA
Afternoon in Yuba City on Sunday
Local time
1:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°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
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 3m 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 Yuba City, CA covers 148.6 miles and takes about 3h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 680, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, CA 113. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.3 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 $34.41 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 24 significant decision points across 148.6 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 10.9 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from San Jose, CA to Yuba City, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.
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