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Trip from Clearlake Oaks, CA to San Jose, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 14m

Distance

149.4 mi

241 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 2m ★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 7m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Clearlake Oaks, CA, CA

Clearlake Oaks, CA

Tori Pezzulla❤️

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

San Jose, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 149.4-mile journey from Clearlake Oaks, CA, to San Jose, CA, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 3 hours and 14 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Donald D Doyle Highway, CA 29, and Saint Helena Highway South, with 39% of the drive being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is $34, and it includes one recommended stop. This drive offers a mixed terrain, moving from the Pacific Coast region to the same region, providing a relatively straightforward path south. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct drive with a clear destination.

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

74.7 miles from Clearlake Oaks, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Donald D Doyle Highway 32.4 mi 37m
CA 29 32 mi 47m
Saint Helena Highway South 21.7 mi 25m
Nimitz Freeway 8.3 mi 9m
Benicia-Martinez Bridge 8 mi 9m
CA 53 7.4 mi 10m
Curtola Parkway 7.1 mi 9m
Saint Helena Highway 6.8 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Donald D Doyle Highway — 32.4 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clearlake Oaks, CA and San Jose, CA.

1

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 31 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Oakgrove Avenue

90 ft · 9 sec · Oakgrove Avenue
3

Turn left onto CA 20

3.6 mi · 5 min · CA 20
4

Enter roundabout onto CA 53

47 ft · 0 sec · CA 53
5

Continue on CA 53

7.4 mi · 10 min · CA 53
6

Continue on CA 29

10 mi · 15 min · CA 29
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7

Enter roundabout onto CA 29

48 ft · 0 sec · CA 29
8

Continue on CA 29

22 mi · 32 min · CA 29
9

Turn left onto CA 29; CA 128

6.8 mi · 7 min · Saint Helena Highway
10

Continue on CA 29; CA 128

2.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street
11

Continue on CA 29; CA 128

22 mi · 25 min · Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on CA 12; CA 29

1.3 mi · 1 min · Napa–Vallejo Highway
13

Continue on CA 29

4.0 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street
14

Continue on CA 29

1.8 mi · 2 min · Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on CA 29

1.1 mi · 1 min · Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16

Turn left onto Redwood Street

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Redwood Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
17

Turn right onto US 40 Hist

1.1 mi · 1 min · Broadway Street
18

Turn slight left onto US 40 Hist

0.7 mi · 1 min · Alameda Street
19

Turn left onto Curtola Parkway

7.1 mi · 9 min · Curtola Parkway
Use the straight lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 780

0.7 mi · 46 sec · I 780
Exit 7B Toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
21

Continue on I 680

8.0 mi · 9 min · Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 680

4.8 mi · 5 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 680

1.4 mi · 1 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 680

31 mi · 35 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Exit 12 Toward CA 262 Use the slight right lane.
26

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Merge onto CA 262

1.5 mi · 2 min · Mission Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Merge onto I 880

8.3 mi · 9 min · Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 4A Toward Downtown, North First Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Turn left onto North 1st Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · North 1st Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
31

Turn right onto West Julian Street

494 ft · 17 sec · West Julian Street
32

Turn left onto North Market Street

196 ft · 6 sec · North Market Street
33

Arrive at destination

North Market Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour, 14-minute drive, starting earlier in the day can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the San Jose area. The estimated fuel cost of $34 is helpful for budgeting, and with only one recommended stop, you can decide if you want to break it up further based on your comfort level. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a services opportunity is 32.4 miles on the Donald D Doyle Highway. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so there's no need to plan an overnight stay unless you wish to explore along the way.

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 74.7 miles from Clearlake Oaks, CA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.4 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 33 miles or 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 74.7 miles or 1h 41m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Jose, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Clearlake Oaks, 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 Clearlake Oaks, CA

This is one driving day of about 149.4 miles and 3h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Clearlake Oaks, 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 Donald D Doyle Highway for about 32.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Sonoma County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Rosa, CA

75 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

Hidden Valley Lake, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Napa, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.7 miles from Clearlake Oaks, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Urban Putt San Jose

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

San Jose, California

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hours: 5–10 pm

+18339984994

Visit website

Urban Putt San Jose

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 5–10 pm

+18339984994

Visit website

Round1 Bowling & Arcade Eastridge Shopping Center

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+14085138290

Visit website

ClipperCreek Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0 mi from route

Calistoga, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14242408181

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Clearlake Oaks, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Calistoga, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.1 mi from route

Calistoga, California

+17079424102

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Clearlake Oaks, California

+17079983378

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Middletown, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17079870297

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Middletown, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Breakout Studios

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: Closed

+14083201962

Visit website

Rotary PlayGarden

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 10 am–6:30 pm

+14082987657

Visit website

The Tech Interactive

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+14082948324

Visit website

San Jose Museum of Art

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14082716840

Visit website

O'Brien Estate Winery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Napa, California

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17072528463

Visit website

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 9:30 am–4:30 pm

+14082985437

Visit website

Guadalupe River Park

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14082987657

Visit website

Smash City Rage Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14085640916

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 91.5 and 147.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
91.5 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | I 780

Keep slight left at fork onto I 780 toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 7B Toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
6
100.2 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
137.4 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in

Take the exit toward CA 262

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 12 Toward CA 262
9
137.5 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in

Keep slight right at fork toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic Univers...
8
147.6 mi into trip | ~3h 9m in

Take the exit toward Downtown, North First Street

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 4A Toward Downtown, North First Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.34 one way

$68.68 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $35.39 $70.77
premium $6.18 $36.33 $72.66
diesel $5.61 $32.99 $65.97

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: 52.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.8 0 $15.69 $7.17
Efficient EV 37.4 0 $13.07 $5.98
EV Truck/SUV 59.8 0 $20.92 $9.56

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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Clearlake Oaks, CA

Morning in Clearlake Oaks on Tuesday

Local time

6:51 AM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Jose, CA

Morning in San Jose on Tuesday

Local time

6:51 AM

PDT

Current temp

49°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

2 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 14m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

National Memorial

On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 92.8
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour Free near mile 87.6
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 103.1
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

National Monument

Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...

24 mi from route ~59 min detour $15 near mile 82.5
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...

26 mi from route ~66 min detour Free near mile 82.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive presents a mixed character, blending faster highway sections with more local road segments. With 39% of the route on highways, you'll experience some stretches of quicker travel, punctuated by the more winding nature of roads like the Donald D Doyle Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.4 miles on the Donald D Doyle Highway, offering a good period of consistent driving. As you progress, the road's personality shifts, transitioning from potentially more rural or scenic beginnings to the more urbanized approach towards San Jose.

39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.4 mi on Donald D Doyle Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 91.5 miles in near I 780.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 19 significant decision points across 149.4 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 91.5 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.2 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Clearlake Oaks, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Warm Springs District along the way.

Warm Springs District

137.5 mi in | ~2h 57m

About the Cities

Arriving in San Jose, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1777

Often called "the capital of Silicon Valley", San Jose is the largest city in the Bay Area, 3rd largest in California, and the 12th largest city in the United States, with a population of over 997,000 residents as of 2024. It was named the 6th safest big city in the U.S. in 2015. This clean, sprawling metropolis has sports, beautiful vistas, and ethnic enclaves and bleeds into the greater Bay Area for travelers who want to take their time in Northern California.

Top landmarks

  • • Winchester Mystery House — Mansion in San Jose, California.
  • • San Jose Diridon station — railway station complex in San Jose, California
  • • Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum — building in San Jose, California, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 149.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 32.4 miles on Donald D Doyle Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at San Jose, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 91.5 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.2 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at San Jose, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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