San Jose to Bishop is 285.3 miles and takes about 6h 48m via US 395, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region of California eastward across diverse landscapes. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a manageable trip for most drivers, offering a blend of highway cruising and surface road travel. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path to the Eastern Sierra Nevada.
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
142.7 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 395
61.6 mi
1h 11m
Tioga Road
58.6 mi
1h 42m
East F Street
25 mi
33m
Main Street
23.5 mi
33m
CA 120
20.7 mi
25m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
14.6 mi
16m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi
14m
East Yosemite Avenue
10.7 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
US 395
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-680
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,873 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,848
Quietest
2 AM
~352 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 35 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 San Jose, CA and Bishop, 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
1.0 mi·1 min·Westside Freeway
17
Take the exit
469 ft·6 sec
Toward CA 120 East: Manteca, Sonora
18
Continue on CA 120
7.8 mi·8 min·CA 120
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto CA 120
0.3 mi·36 sec·CA 120
Toward CA 120 East: Sonora, Yosemite AvenueUse the right lane.
20
Turn right onto CA 120
11 mi·15 min·East Yosemite Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on CA 120
0.2 mi·27 sec·California Street
22
Continue on CA 120
7.1 mi·10 min·Jackson Avenue
23
Continue on CA 120; J9; J14
0.9 mi·1 min·Valley Home Road
24
Continue on CA 120; J9; J14
0.9 mi·2 min·North Yosemite Avenue
25
Turn left onto CA 108; CA 120
25 mi·33 min·East F Street
26
Turn right onto CA 120
13 mi·15 min·CA 120
Use the right lane.
27
Turn right onto Old Priest Grade
1.9 mi·5 min·Old Priest Grade
28
Continue on CA 120
0.8 mi·1 min·New Priest Grade Road
29
Continue on CA 120
2.0 mi·4 min·Highway 120
30
Continue on CA 120
24 mi·33 min·Main Street
31
Continue on Big Oak Flat Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Big Oak Flat Road
32
Continue on Big Oak Flat Road
7.8 mi·16 min·Big Oak Flat Road
33
Turn left onto Tioga Road
59 mi·1 hr 42 min·Tioga Road
34
Continue on US 395; CA 120
18 mi·20 min·US 395; CA 120
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on US 395
44 mi·50 min·US 395
Use the straight lane.
36
Turn right onto North Barlow Lane
1.0 mi·1 min·North Barlow Lane
37
Turn left onto CA 168
1.5 mi·2 min·West Line Street
38
Turn left onto US 395; US 6 Hist
0.1 mi·28 sec·North Main Street
39
Turn right onto May Street
54 ft·2 sec·May Street
40
Arrive at destination
May Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 48m drive, aim for an early morning departure from San Jose to avoid traffic and maximize daylight. The route is manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider splitting it. You'll have a longest stretch of 61.6 miles on US 395, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially as services can become more spread out. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Bishop, as options might be limited in certain stretches.
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 142.7 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 63 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.7 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bishop, 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 285.3 miles and 6h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 US 395 for about 61.6 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 68.2 — 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
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
7
68.2 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|CA 120
Take the exit onto CA 120 toward CA 120 East: Sonora, Yosemite Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward CA 120 East: Sonora, Yosemite Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.69 one way
$119.38 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$61.99
$123.98
premium
$5.67
$63.63
$127.26
diesel
$4.80
$53.87
$107.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.6
1
$29.96
$13.69
Efficient EV
71.3
0
$24.96
$11.41
EV Truck/SUV
114.1
1
$39.94
$18.26
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
San Jose, CA
Evening
in San Jose on Monday
Local time
5:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 2 to 8 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 8:50AM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Bishop, CA
Evening
in Bishop on Monday
Local time
5:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
99°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 2 to 12 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 8:50AM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
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
15 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 48m 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.
Yosemite National Park
National Park
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yose...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$35
near mile 186.9
Park Closure: Tioga Road (Hwy 120 through the park) and Glacier Point Road are closed
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery...
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 29.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is about 48% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 6h 48m drive on faster roads like US 395. You'll encounter the longest stretch without a major turn on US 395 for 61.6 miles. The route transitions from highway to surface roads, with East F Street being one of the final segments. Expect to notice the change from more developed exit areas to more open, rural cruising as you progress.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.6 mi on US 395.
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 1.5 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 25 significant decision points across 285.3 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 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
9,072 ft25 ft
Total Climb
10,292 ft
Total Descent
6,226 ft
Highest Point
9,072 ft
~203.8 mi in
Elevation Range
9,047 ft
Notable High Points
9,072 ft at ~203.8 miles+1,301 ft prominence
7,380 ft at ~244.6 miles+573 ft prominence
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 Bishop, CA, road signs point toward Stockton and Sonora.
Stockton
44.7 mi in|~57m|via I 205
Sonora
60.3 mi in|~1h 15m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 48m. Total distance: 285.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.6 miles on US 395. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Bishop, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Yosemite National Park, Devils Postpile National Monument and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bishop, CA before the return drive.
