Traveling from San Jose to Auberry covers approximately 168.6 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is a manageable length, it works perfectly as a straightforward one-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend around $39 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The route transitions you across the Pacific Coast region, moving from the urban environment of San Jose toward the more secluded setting of Auberry. Whether you are heading out for a quick getaway or visiting family, this drive offers a predictable timeframe that helps you plan your day with confidence.
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
84.3 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Auberry, CA.
1
Start on North Market Street
110 ft·5 sec·North Market Street
2
Turn right onto Devine Street
275 ft·17 sec·Devine Street
3
Turn left onto North San Pedro Street
306 ft·17 sec·North San Pedro Street
4
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·West Saint James Street
5
Continue on West Julian Street
356 ft·7 sec·West Julian Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward CA 87 SouthUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto CA 87
1.4 mi·1 min·Guadalupe Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on CA 87
4.1 mi·4 min·Guadalupe Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Exit 1CToward Santa Teresa BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 87
0.1 mi·22 sec·Santa Teresa Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward CA 85 SouthUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto CA 85
4.7 mi·5 min·CA 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 85
0.4 mi·27 sec·CA 85
Exit 1AToward US 101 South
14
Continue on US 101
20 mi·23 min·US 101
15
Take the exit onto CA 152
0.3 mi·39 sec·CA 152
Toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road
16
Turn left onto CA 152
353 ft·12 sec·East 10th Street
17
Continue on CA 152
83 mi·1 hr 42 min·Pacheco Pass Highway
18
Continue on CA 152
1.1 mi·1 min·Eastbound California State Route 152
19
Continue on CA 152
0.3 mi·23 sec·EB SR 152 to SB SR 99
20
Continue on CA 99
11 mi·12 min·Southbound California State Route 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 154Toward Fourth StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto North I Street
0.3 mi·36 sec·North I Street
23
Turn left onto West Yosemite Avenue
2.2 mi·3 min·West Yosemite Avenue
24
Continue on CA 145
17 mi·25 min·CA 145
25
Turn right onto 206
2.1 mi·3 min·206
26
Continue on North Fork Road
0.1 mi·22 sec·North Fork Road
27
Turn left onto Millerton Road
5.7 mi·9 min·Millerton Road
28
At end of road, turn left onto Auberry Road
9.3 mi·14 min·Auberry Road
29
Enter roundabout onto CA 168
216 ft·4 sec·Auberry Road
30
Continue on CA 168
1.1 mi·1 min·Auberry Road
31
Continue on Auberry Road
2.9 mi·5 min·Auberry Road
32
Keep slight right at fork onto Auberry Road
361 ft·10 sec·Auberry Road
33
Arrive at destination
Auberry Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 40 minute travel time, aim to depart early to avoid potential congestion on the main highways. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping in mind that your total fuel costs will hover around $39. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure to suit your personal schedule. Pay close attention to the transition onto CA 145, as local road signage can be easy to miss when you are accustomed to the monotony of the longer highway segments. Keeping a steady pace during your 82.6-mile stretch on the Pacheco Pass Highway will ensure you arrive in Auberry refreshed and on time.
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 84.3 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.6 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.3 miles or 1h 43m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auberry, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA
This is one driving day of about 168.6 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from San Jose, 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 Pacheco Pass Highway for about 82.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 127.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North San Pedro Street
Turn left onto North San Pedro Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward CA 87 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward CA 87 South
7
6.1 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward Santa Teresa Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1C
Toward Santa Teresa Boulevard
8
6.6 mi into trip|~8m in
Turn left toward CA 85 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CA 85 South
7
127.7 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward Fourth Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward Fourth Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.75 one way
$77.50 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$39.93
$79.87
premium
$6.18
$41.00
$82.00
diesel
$5.61
$37.22
$74.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.6
0
$17.70
$8.09
Efficient EV
42.2
0
$14.75
$6.74
EV Truck/SUV
67.4
0
$23.60
$10.79
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
San Jose, CA
Late night
in San Jose on Tuesday
Local time
3:18 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auberry, CA
Late night
in Auberry on Tuesday
Local time
3:18 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Los Banos, CA
84 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
18 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 40m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, requiring you to navigate both high-speed thoroughfares and slower local routes. With only 36% of the journey spent on highways, you will find that the character of the road shifts significantly as you transition between US 101, the Pacheco Pass Highway, and CA 145. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 82.6 miles along the Pacheco Pass Highway, which demands steady focus. Expect a blend of fast-paced transit and more technical driving as you exit the major arteries and approach your destination. Staying alert is key, as the driving conditions evolve from busy coastal corridors into the specific local roads leading into Auberry.
36% 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: 82.6 mi on Pacheco Pass Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.1 miles in near North San Pedro Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 168.6 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 0.1 miles (North San Pedro Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 40m. Total distance: 168.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.6 miles on Pacheco Pass 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 Auberry, 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 0.1 miles (North San Pedro Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Auberry, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
