If you are planning a quick excursion from San Jose to August, you will cover 75.5 miles in roughly 1 hour and 35 minutes. This straightforward trip is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, meaning you can easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. You will travel entirely within the Pacific Coast region, moving from the San Jose area toward August. Since the route is highly efficient, it serves as a practical choice for those who prefer a direct transit rather than a multi-day expedition.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.8 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
14.6 mi
16m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi
14m
Westside Freeway
12.2 mi
13m
I 880
8.5 mi
9m
I 680
8.5 mi
9m
CA 84
5.5 mi
7m
Isabel Avenue
4.3 mi
6m
CA 262
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
— 14.6 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and August, CA.
1
Start on North Market Street
196 ft·8 sec·North Market Street
2
Continue on Coleman Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Coleman Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 880 North: OaklandUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 880
8.5 mi·9 min·I 880
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
0.6 mi·41 sec·Nimitz Freeway
6
Take the exit onto CA 262
1.6 mi·2 min·CA 262
Exit 12AToward SacramentoUse the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 680 North: SacramentoUse the straight lane.
9
Merge onto I 680
8.5 mi·9 min·I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto CA 84
5.5 mi·7 min·CA 84
Exit 21BToward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto CA 84
4.3 mi·6 min·Isabel Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 East: StocktonUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 580
13 mi·14 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
3.9 mi·4 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
Toward I 205 East: Tracy, Stockton
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 205
11 mi·11 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
16
Merge onto I 5
12 mi·13 min·Westside Freeway
17
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.2 mi·26 sec·CA 4
Toward CA 4 East: Downtown Stockton
18
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 4
0.4 mi·57 sec·CA 4
19
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.2 mi·30 sec·CA 4
20
Merge onto CA 4
0.8 mi·57 sec·Crosstown Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 67Toward Wilson Way
22
Turn left onto South Wilson Way
0.9 mi·1 min·South Wilson Way
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn right onto Waterloo Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Waterloo Road
24
Turn left onto North Filbert Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·North Filbert Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Filbert Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1-hour and 35-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since there are no scheduled stops required for this 75.5-mile drive, you can complete the trip in one efficient push without worrying about mid-route logistics. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving San Jose to ensure you start with a full tank, keeping that $17 cost estimate in mind for your budget. Because the route is concentrated on major freeways, pay close attention to traffic patterns on the Robert T. Monagan Freeway to avoid the longest stretches of potential congestion. This direct approach allows you to maximize your time at your destination in August rather than spending the day behind the wheel.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.8 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.8 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near August, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Jose, CA
This is one driving day of about 75.5 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from San Jose, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Robert T. Monagan Freeway for about 14.6 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 21.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 880 North: Oakland
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 880 North: Oakland
7
10.9 mi into trip|~14m in|CA 262
Take the exit onto CA 262 toward Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12A
Toward Sacramento
6
12.5 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
8
12.7 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 680 North: Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento
8
21.5 mi into trip|~27m in|CA 84
Take the exit onto CA 84 toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
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 21B
Toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.35 one way
$34.71 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$17.88
$35.76
premium
$6.18
$18.36
$36.72
diesel
$5.61
$16.67
$33.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.7
0
$7.93
$3.62
Efficient EV
18.9
0
$6.61
$3.02
EV Truck/SUV
30.2
0
$10.57
$4.83
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 18, 2026
Origin
San Jose, CA
Afternoon
in San Jose on Sunday
Local time
12:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 1 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka CA
Destination
August, CA
Afternoon
in August on Sunday
Local time
12:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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
1h 35m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 31.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 88% of this 75.5-mile route consists of high-speed travel. You will navigate a series of major arteries, including the Robert T. Monagan Freeway, the Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway, and the Westside Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 14.6-mile segment along the Robert T. Monagan Freeway. Because the drive is dominated by these primary roads, it maintains a consistent, fast-paced rhythm throughout the duration. You should be prepared for a utilitarian, interstate-style drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over secondary or back-road exploration.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on Robert T. Monagan Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Robert T. Monagan Freeway and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.5 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 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 San Jose, CA and August, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento and Stockton.
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 1h 35m. Total distance: 75.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on Robert T. Monagan Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 August, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at August, CA before heading back.
