Spanning 214.7 miles, this journey from Lindsay to San Jose takes approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes of drive time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed highway transit, it is best suited as a single-day trip. You should budget roughly $29 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Pacific Coast locations. While the drive is manageable in one go, the navigation requires your full attention due to the local road composition. Planning for one scheduled stop will help keep you refreshed as you transition from the Central Valley area toward the Bay Area. Overall, this route offers a practical, straightforward connection for travelers looking to navigate between these California points.
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
104.3 miles from Lindsay, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue 23
70.4 mi
1h 25m
Golden State Highway
56.6 mi
1h 1m
CA 99
21.4 mi
24m
South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi
22m
CA 152
12.4 mi
17m
CA 65
6.8 mi
9m
CA 85
5.2 mi
6m
Guadalupe Parkway
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Avenue 23
— 70.4 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lindsay, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on this road
400 ft·31 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East Apia Street
207 ft·11 sec·East Apia Street
3
Turn right onto J29
0.3 mi·33 sec·South Mirage Avenue
4
Turn left onto J29
371 ft·7 sec·East Hermosa Street
5
Enter roundabout onto J29
76 ft·1 sec·West Hermosa Street
6
Continue on J29
0.5 mi·54 sec·West Hermosa Street
7
Enter roundabout onto J29
76 ft·1 sec·West Hermosa Street
8
Continue on J29
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Hermosa Street
9
Turn right onto CA 65
6.8 mi·9 min·CA 65
10
Continue on CA 137
4.2 mi·5 min·Tulare Lindsay Highway
11
Continue on CA 137
0.4 mi·32 sec·East Tulare Avenue
12
At end of road, turn right onto CA 137
1.4 mi·2 min·East Tulare Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left
0.3 mi·32 sec
14
Merge onto CA 99
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·30 sec
Exit 144Toward Avenue 7Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto CA 99
21 mi·24 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 152
0.4 mi·27 sec·NB SR 99 to WB 152
Toward CA 152 West
18
Continue on CA 152
0.9 mi·59 sec·Westbound California State Route 152
19
Continue on CA 152
70 mi·1 hr 25 min·Avenue 23
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 152
12 mi·16 min·CA 152
21
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.5 mi·1 min·CA 152
Toward US 101 North: San Jose
22
Merge onto US 101; CA 152
20 mi·22 min·South Valley Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
23
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.
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi·51 sec
Exit 5AToward CA 87 North: Downtown San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on CA 87
4.3 mi·5 min·Guadalupe Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on CA 87
0.4 mi·29 sec·Guadalupe Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 6Toward CA 82Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·51 sec
Toward CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian StreetUse the slight left lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward CA 87 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 6BToward Julian StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·West Saint James Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn left onto North Market Street
416 ft·8 sec·North Market Street
33
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour and 32-minute trip, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion on the smaller roads. Since the route relies entirely on local streets like East Hermosa Street, you will find that flexibility is your biggest advantage; pull over whenever you need a break to maintain your focus. Budgeting $29 for fuel should be sufficient, but keep an eye on your gauge since local driving can often be less fuel-efficient than highway cruising. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous turning can be more fatiguing than a straight interstate shot. A route-specific tip: double-check your GPS settings to ensure you are routed correctly through East Apia Street and South Mirage Avenue before you pull out of the driveway.
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 104.3 miles from Lindsay, CA, or about 2h 1m 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.3 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 23m
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 Lindsay, 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 Lindsay, CA
This is one driving day of about 208.7 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Lindsay, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 70.9 and 208.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
70.9 mi into trip|~1h 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
196.7 mi into trip|~3h 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
7
201.9 mi into trip|~4h in
Take the exit toward CA 87 North: Downtown San Jose
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5A
Toward CA 87 North: Downtown San Jose
8
207.5 mi into trip|~4h 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
208.2 mi into trip|~4h 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
$47.97 one way
$95.94 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$49.43
$98.86
premium
$6.18
$50.75
$101.51
diesel
$5.61
$46.08
$92.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.6
0
$21.91
$10.02
Efficient EV
52.2
0
$18.26
$8.35
EV Truck/SUV
83.5
1
$29.22
$13.36
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lindsay, CA
Morning
in Lindsay on Sunday
Local time
9:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Jose, CA
Morning
in San Jose on Sunday
Local time
9:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Los Banos, CA
104 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
6 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
4h 9m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience from a standard interstate cruise, as this entire 214.7-mile trek consists of local roads rather than major highways. You will navigate via East Apia Street, South Mirage Avenue, and East Hermosa Street, which results in a 0% highway share. Because there is no long-haul speed, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on East Apia Street, meaning you should prepare for frequent turns and a slower pace. The road's personality is defined by its technical, turn-heavy nature, requiring you to stay alert behind the wheel. It is a hands-on drive that demands constant engagement as you transition through the local infrastructure.
34% 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: 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 70.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 208.7 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 70.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.7 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.9 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.
Between Lindsay, CA and San Jose, CA, road signs point toward Avenue 7 and Mountain View.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 208.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
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 70.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.7 miles (CA 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at San Jose, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
