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Trip from San Jose, CA to Cedar Ridge, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 6m

Distance

135.2 mi

218 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 55m ★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city and county seat of Santa Clara County, California, United States

San Jose, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Cedar Ridge, CA, CA

Cedar Ridge, CA

Moussa Idrissi

Trip Overview

This 135.2-mile drive from San Jose, CA to Cedar Ridge, CA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of freeways and local roads, with about 54% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $31. Given the relatively short duration and distance, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The drive offers a mixed experience, transitioning between faster highway sections and more local road segments as you head inland from the Pacific Coast region.

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

67.6 miles from San Jose, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East F Street 28.3 mi 38m
Robert T. Monagan Freeway 14.6 mi 16m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway 12.9 mi 14m
CA 49 11.9 mi 17m
East Yosemite Avenue 10.7 mi 15m
I 880 8.5 mi 9m
I 680 8.5 mi 9m
CA 120 8.1 mi 9m
Longest stretch: East F Street — 28.3 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Cedar Ridge, 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: Oakland Use 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 12A Toward Sacramento Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 680 North: Sacramento Use 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 21B Toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road Use 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: Stockton Use 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 Avenue Use 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

28 mi · 38 min · East F Street
26

Enter roundabout onto CA 49; CA 108

116 ft · 2 sec · CA 49; CA 108
27

Continue on CA 49; CA 108

12 mi · 17 min · CA 49; CA 108
28

Turn left onto Soulsbyville Road

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Soulsbyville Road
29

Turn right onto Longeway Road

3.2 mi · 6 min · Longeway Road
30

At end of road, turn left onto Longeway Road

0.4 mi · 55 sec · Longeway Road
31

Turn right onto Big Hill Road

347 ft · 9 sec · Big Hill Road
32

Turn right onto Kewin Mill Road

2.6 mi · 6 min · Kewin Mill Road
33

At end of road, turn right onto Kewin Mill Road

157 ft · 9 sec · Kewin Mill Road
34

Turn left onto Estralita Drive

443 ft · 19 sec · Estralita Drive
35

Arrive at destination

Estralita Drive

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour, 135.2-mile journey, planning your departure can maximize your enjoyment. Leaving earlier in the day can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you begin your drive from San Jose. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself, but consider a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $31 for the trip. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the transition points between freeway and local roads, as these can sometimes involve changes in speed limits and road conditions.

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 67.6 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.3 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 30 miles or 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 67.6 miles or 1h 23m 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Ridge, 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 135.2 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 East F Street for about 28.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ripon, CA

68 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Dublin, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Manteca, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.6 miles from San Jose, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

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

$31.07 one way

$62.15 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $32.02 $64.04
premium $6.18 $32.88 $65.76
diesel $5.61 $29.85 $59.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.6 0 $14.20 $6.49
Efficient EV 33.8 0 $11.83 $5.41
EV Truck/SUV 54.1 0 $18.93 $8.65

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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

2:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Ridge, CA

Late night in Cedar Ridge on Tuesday

Local time

2:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

64°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

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

3h 6m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

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 ~70 min detour Free near mile 32.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is a blend of highway cruising and local road navigation. With 54% of the route on highways, expect periods of faster travel, interspersed with stretches that require more attention. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 28.3 miles on East F Street, offering a consistent pace before you transition back to freeway driving. This mixed profile means you'll experience varying driving conditions, from the efficiency of the Robert T. Monagan Freeway and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway to the more localized feel of surface streets.

54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.3 mi on East F Street.

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 Effort 10/10

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 26 significant decision points across 135.2 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.

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 Cedar Ridge, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento, Stockton and Sonora.

Sacramento

10.9 mi in | ~14m | via CA 262

Stockton

44.7 mi in | ~57m | via I 205

Sonora

60.3 mi in | ~1h 15m

About the Cities

Starting in San Jose, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1777

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 135.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 28.3 miles on East F Street. 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 Cedar Ridge, 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 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 — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedar Ridge, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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