Pine Hills to San Jose is 314.4 miles and takes about 6h 23m via Redwood Highway and I 880, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily takes you along surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the Pacific Coast region as you travel within California. With a single recommended day, this route is well-suited for a straightforward trip, especially if you're looking to avoid extensive highway driving. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on local routes, making it a potentially more immersive way to experience the landscape between these two 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
157.2 miles from Pine Hills, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Redwood Highway
244.6 mi
4h 55m
I 880
27.4 mi
31m
Nimitz Freeway
14.3 mi
18m
John T. Knox Freeway
13.6 mi
17m
Willits Bypass
5.4 mi
6m
Eastshore Freeway
3.8 mi
4m
Elk River Road
1.6 mi
2m
North 1st Street
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 244.6 mi, about 4h 55m
Traffic on I-880
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~5,299 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~674 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine Hills, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on Walnut Drive
179 ft·3 sec·Walnut Drive
2
Continue on Ridgewood Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Ridgewood Drive
3
Continue on Elk River Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Elk River Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto Herrick Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Herrick Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
6
Merge onto US 101
128 mi·2 hr 37 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 101
5.4 mi·6 min·Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 101; CA 20
116 mi·2 hr 18 min·Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
14 mi·17 min·John T. Knox Freeway
Exit 451BToward I 580: Richmond Bridge, OaklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 80; I 580
3.8 mi·4 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
0.3 mi·21 sec·Interstate Highway 80
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San JoseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
14 mi·18 min·Nimitz Freeway
Toward I 880: West Grand Avenue, Alameda, San JoseUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
5.6 mi·6 min·I 880
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
2.4 mi·2 min·I 880
Use the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
19 mi·22 min·I 880
Use the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 4AToward Downtown, North First StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi·3 min·North 1st Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
18
Turn right onto West Julian Street
494 ft·17 sec·West Julian Street
19
Turn left onto North Market Street
196 ft·6 sec·North Market Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour estimated drive time, leaving Pine Hills in the morning is your best bet to arrive in San Jose before evening. You'll only need one stop to break up the drive, so plan that strategically along the Redwood Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $68 budget is an estimate and it's always wise to fuel up before you get too low, especially when primarily on surface roads. The longest stretch on the Redwood Highway means you'll want to be sure you're comfortable with your fuel level before embarking on that 244.6-mile segment.
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 157.2 miles from Pine Hills, CA, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.6 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 69 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.2 miles or 3h 13m 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 13m
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 Pine Hills, 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 Pine Hills, CA
This is one driving day of about 314.4 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Pine Hills, 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 Redwood Highway for about 244.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 253.2 and 312.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
253.2 mi into trip|~5h 7m in|I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 451B
Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
8
270.5 mi into trip|~5h 29m in|I 580 / Interstate Highway 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...
8
270.8 mi into trip|~5h 29m in|I 880 / Nimitz Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880 / Nimitz Freeway toward I 880: West Grand Avenue, Alameda, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 880: West Grand Avenue, Alameda, San J...
6
285.1 mi into trip|~5h 48m in|I 880
Keep slight left at fork onto I 880
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
312.6 mi into trip|~6h 19m 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
$76.94 one way
$153.88 round trip
$6.22/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.40
$79.23
$158.46
premium
$6.57
$81.27
$162.55
diesel
$6.18
$76.48
$152.97
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: 110 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.3
1
$33.01
$15.09
Efficient EV
78.6
0
$27.51
$12.58
EV Truck/SUV
125.8
1
$44.02
$20.12
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Pine Hills, CA
Evening
in Pine Hills on Sunday
Local time
6:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Patchy Drizzle
SW 3 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:59AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 17 at 7:32PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
San Jose, CA
Evening
in San Jose on Sunday
Local time
6:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Clear
W 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 12:59AM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 17 at 7:32PM PDT until October 20 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
51°F
Fort Bragg, CA
157 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 23m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 260.2
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...
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,...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$15
near mile 249.4
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 249.4
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 spec...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 238.5
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 271
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter about 19% highway driving, with the bulk of your miles on surface roads. The Redwood Highway accounts for the longest continuous stretch at 244.6 miles. After this long section on the Redwood Highway, you'll transition to I 880 and the Nimitz Freeway, which will likely involve more merging and traffic as you approach San Jose. Expect a mix of cruising and potentially slower speeds on the surface road portions.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 244.6 mi on Redwood Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 253.2 miles in near I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 314.4 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 253.2 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.5 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.8 miles (I 880 / Nimitz Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,666 ft16 ft
Total Climb
1,783 ft
Total Descent
2,114 ft
Highest Point
1,666 ft
~112.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,650 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pine Hills, CA and San Jose, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton and Alameda.
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.
•Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum — building in San Jose, California, United States
•Hayes Mansion — hotel resort in San Jose, California
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 314.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 244.6 miles on Redwood Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 253.2 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.5 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.8 miles (I 880 / Nimitz Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Muir Woods National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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.
