Origin
Clovis, CA
Late night in Clovis on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clovis, CA to San Jose, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
152.9 mi
246 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clovis, CA
Wikimedia Commons
San Jose, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clovis to San Jose is 152.9 miles and takes about 3h 9m via Avenue 23 and CA 99, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a mixed driving experience. Expect a blend of freeway cruising and surface street navigation, making it a straightforward single-day excursion. It's a practical option for getting from the Central Valley towards the Bay Area without a complex itinerary.
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
76.5 miles from Clovis, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue 23 | 70.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| CA 99 | 25.3 mi | 28m |
| South Valley Freeway | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| CA 152 | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| West Shaw Avenue | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| CA 85 | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| Guadalupe Parkway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| East Shaw Avenue | 3.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue 23
— 70.4 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clovis, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on 4th Street
139 ft
·
11 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn left onto Woodworth Avenue
479 ft
·
23 sec
·
Woodworth Avenue
3
Turn right onto 5th Street
300 ft
·
5 sec
·
5th Street
4
Turn left onto Bullard Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bullard Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward CA 168 West
6
Merge onto CA 168
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sierra Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 4
Toward Shaw Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto East Shaw Avenue
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
East Shaw Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
9
Continue on West Shaw Avenue
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
West Shaw Avenue
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward CA 99 North
11
Merge onto CA 99
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
CA 99
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto CA 99
21 mi
·
24 min
·
CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 152
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
NB SR 99 to WB 152
Toward CA 152 West
15
Continue on CA 152
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
Westbound California State Route 152
16
Continue on CA 152
70 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
Avenue 23
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi
·
16 min
·
CA 152
18
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
19
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi
·
22 min
·
South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 85
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
CA 85
Exit 377B
Toward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
Use the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 5A
Toward CA 87 North: Downtown San Jose
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on CA 87
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Guadalupe Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on CA 87
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Guadalupe Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 6
Toward CA 82
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
Toward CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian Street
Use the slight left lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward CA 87 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 6B
Toward Julian Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Saint James Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn left onto North Market Street
416 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Market Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, leaving in the morning should give you plenty of time to reach San Jose before evening. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, flexibility is your advantage. Plan your fuel stops carefully, as the estimated cost is $35, and it’s wise to top off before heading out or when you see a good price. Since the longest stretch on surface roads is over 70 miles, pay close attention to local traffic patterns and speed limits once you transition off the main freeway.
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 76.5 miles from Clovis, CA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.4 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 miles or 1h 34m 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 36m
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 Clovis, 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 Clovis, CA
This is one driving day of about 152.9 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Clovis, 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 Avenue 23 for about 70.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.5 miles from Clovis, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 152.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward Shaw Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward Shaw Avenue
7
15.1 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward Avenue 7
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
9
141 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
CA 85
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 85 toward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 377B
Toward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
8
151.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian...
9
152.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Julian Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6B
Toward Julian Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.14 one way
$70.29 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $36.21 | $72.43 |
| premium | $6.18 | $37.18 | $74.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.76 | $67.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.05 | $7.34 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.41 | $9.79 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
San Jose, CA
Late night in San Jose on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Los Banos, CA
76 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 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 9m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a highway percentage of 46%, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on surface roads is 70.4 miles on Avenue 23. You'll transition from freeway driving on CA 99 to surface streets, so be prepared for more frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you approach your destination. Expect a mix of urban and rural segments throughout the 152.9-mile trip.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.4 mi on Avenue 23.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 2.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 152.9 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 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 141 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clovis, CA and San Jose, CA, road signs point toward Avenue 7 and Mountain View.
Avenue 7
15.1 mi in
|
~22m
Mountain View
141 mi in
|
~2h 54m
|
via CA 85
About the Cities
Starting in Clovis, CA
Full guide →Founded 1890
Clovis is a city in Fresno County in California's San Joaquin Valley.
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 9m. Total distance: 152.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.4 miles on Avenue 23. 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 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 141 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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