Spanning 335.8 miles, the trip from Glendale to San Jose typically takes about 5 hours and 17 minutes of driving time. Because this is a straightforward trek within the Pacific Coast region, you can easily complete the journey in a single day. You will primarily navigate via West Colorado Street, the Colorado Street Freeway Extension, and I-5 North. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, it is a relatively affordable transit between these two California hubs. Since the route is well-suited for a one-day excursion, you won't necessarily need an overnight stay unless you prefer a more leisurely pace. Overall, this drive is a practical, direct connection for those traveling between the Los Angeles area and the Bay Area.
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
167.4 miles from Glendale, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
182.5 mi
3h 15m
CA 152
41.1 mi
51m
Golden State Freeway
39.9 mi
45m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi
22m
CA 85
5.2 mi
6m
Guadalupe Parkway
4.3 mi
5m
West Colorado Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 182.5 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on South Brand Boulevard
43 ft·3 sec·South Brand Boulevard
2
Turn right
211 ft·20 sec
3
Turn left onto West Colorado Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West Colorado Street
4
Turn left onto Colorado Street Freeway Extension
0.6 mi·38 sec·Colorado Street Freeway Extension
Toward I 5Use the left lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 5 North: SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 5
15 mi·17 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
183 mi·3 hr 15 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 403BToward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
13
Continue on CA 152; CA33
29 mi·33 min·CA 152; CA33
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi·16 min·CA 152
15
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi·1 min·CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
16
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi·22 min·South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 85
5.2 mi·6 min·CA 85
Exit 377BToward CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain ViewUse the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·51 sec
Exit 5AToward CA 87 North: Downtown San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 87
4.3 mi·5 min·Guadalupe Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on CA 87
0.4 mi·29 sec·Guadalupe Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 6Toward CA 82Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·51 sec
Toward CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian StreetUse the slight left lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward CA 87 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 6BToward Julian StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·West Saint James Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto North Market Street
416 ft·8 sec·North Market Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour and 17-minute journey manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since this route is quite localized, it offers you the flexibility to depart early in the morning to avoid peak congestion or adjust your schedule based on your personal energy levels. Keep your $46 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as local roads can sometimes impact your vehicle's efficiency differently than consistent highway speeds. Because the path relies heavily on local streets like West Colorado, double-check your navigation before you head out to ensure you are comfortable with the specific turn-heavy sequence required to reach I-5 North efficiently.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.4 miles from Glendale, CA, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.5 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 74 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.4 miles or 3h 6m 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 2m
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 Glendale, 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 Glendale, CA
This is one driving day of about 334.7 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Glendale, 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 Westside Freeway for about 182.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 334.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 North: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 5 North: Sacramento
9
19.1 mi into trip|~23m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
9
322.8 mi into trip|~6h 1m 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
333.6 mi into trip|~6h 14m 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
334.3 mi into trip|~6h 15m 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
$76.93 one way
$153.86 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$79.27
$158.55
premium
$6.18
$81.40
$162.79
diesel
$5.61
$73.90
$147.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.4
1
$35.14
$16.07
Efficient EV
83.7
0
$29.29
$13.39
EV Truck/SUV
133.9
1
$46.86
$21.42
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Glendale, CA
Late night
in Glendale on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Jose, CA
Late night
in San Jose on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Huron, CA
167 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
6h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 23.1
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 80.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local-focused experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind. While the route covers significant ground, the character of the road is defined by its technical nature, featuring a 0-mile longest uninterrupted stretch on West Colorado Street. You won't be cruising on long, high-speed highway segments, as the highway share is notably low. Instead, you will be managing frequent maneuvers and transitions as you navigate away from the Glendale area. This makes for a more engaged driving experience that requires your full attention compared to a standard freeway sprint.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.5 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 152. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 334.7 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322.8 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.
On the drive from Glendale, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Hollister along the way.
Glendale is a suburban city of 205,000 people (2019) in the southeastern corner of the San Fernando Valley of Southern California between Burbank and Downtown Los Angeles. Glendale has one of the largest communities of Armenian descent in the United States. In addition to central Glendale, this article covers the Crescenta Valley communities of La Crescenta, Montrose, Verdugo City, and the part of Glendale in the Crescenta Valley.
Top landmarks
•Forest Lawn Memorial Park — cemetery in Glendale, California
•Glendale Transportation Center — railway station
•Grand Central Airport — airport in Glendale, Los Angeles
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 16m. Total distance: 334.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.5 miles on Westside Freeway. 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322.8 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at San Jose, CA before the return drive.
