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Trip from San Jose, CA to Palo Cedro, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 39m

Distance

243.9 mi

392 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 26m ★
6 AM
4h 39m
8 AM
5h 6m
10 AM
4h 49m
12 PM
4h 46m
3 PM
4h 50m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 31m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city and county seat of Santa Clara County, California, United States

San Jose, CA

Wikimedia Commons

census-designated place in Shasta County, California, United States

Palo Cedro, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 243.9-mile drive from San Jose, California, to Palo Cedro, California, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 39 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 85% of the route being on interstates, including I-505 and I-680, also known as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $56. Given its manageable duration and highway-focused profile, this route is well-suited as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, keeping the scenery consistent.

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

121.9 miles from San Jose, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 505 146.9 mi 2h 37m
I 680 37.3 mi 42m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 14.8 mi 17m
Luther E Gibson Freeway 12 mi 13m
Deschutes Road 10.2 mi 17m
I 880 8.5 mi 9m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway 7.9 mi 9m
CA 262 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 505 — 146.9 mi, about 2h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Palo Cedro, 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

37 mi · 42 min · I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 680

6.0 mi · 6 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 680

243 ft · 3 sec · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 680

1.8 mi · 2 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 680

0.4 mi · 26 sec · Benicia-Martinez Bridge
14

Continue on I 680

12 mi · 13 min · Luther E Gibson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Exit 71A Toward I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
16

Merge onto I 80; CA 12

1.7 mi · 1 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

13 mi · 15 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on I 505

147 mi · 2 hr 37 min · I 505
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward Factory Outlet Drive, Deschutes Road
22

Keep slight left at fork

214 ft · 6 sec
23

Enter roundabout onto Deschutes Road

109 ft · 4 sec · Deschutes Road
24

Continue on Deschutes Road

10 mi · 17 min · Deschutes Road
Use the straight lane.
25

Turn left onto Old 44 Drive

63 ft · 1 sec · Old 44 Drive
Use the left lane.
26

Arrive at destination

Old 44 Drive

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 39-minute drive, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you break up the 243.9 miles. Consider planning your fuel stop around the longest stretch on I-505, which is 146.9 miles, to ensure you have ample gas. The $56 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to be flexible with your departure and arrival times.

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 121.9 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.9 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 121.9 miles or 2h 21m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palo Cedro, 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 243.9 miles and 4h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 I 505 for about 146.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Napa County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Napa, CA

122 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

Mountain View, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Woodland, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 121.9 miles from San Jose, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 505 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.9 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Urban Putt San Jose

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

San Jose, California

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hours: 5–10 pm

+18339984994

Visit website

Urban Putt San Jose

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 5–10 pm

+18339984994

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 243.9

Palo Cedro, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 139.4

Williams, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Skycharger Charging Station

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 139.4

Williams, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884092980

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 174.2

Willows, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 174.2

Willows, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 243.9

Redding, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Breakout Studios

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: Closed

+14083201962

Visit website

Rotary PlayGarden

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 10 am–6:30 pm

+14082987657

Visit website

The Tech Interactive

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+14082948324

Visit website

San Jose Museum of Art

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14082716840

Visit website

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 9:30 am–4:30 pm

+14082985437

Visit website

Guadalupe River Park

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14082987657

Visit website

Smash City Rage Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14085640916

Visit website

Discovery Meadow

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Jose, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14082987657

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 85.9 — 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
50.3 mi into trip | ~1h in | I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 680 North: Martinez, Sacramento
8
85.9 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$56.06 one way

$112.12 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 85 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $57.77 $115.54
premium $6.18 $59.31 $118.63
diesel $5.61 $53.85 $107.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$56

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 85.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 73.2 0 $25.61 $11.71
Efficient EV 61 0 $21.34 $9.76
EV Truck/SUV 97.6 1 $34.15 $15.61

Gas CO2

85 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 15, 2026

Origin

San Jose, CA

Morning in San Jose on Sunday

Local time

7:19 AM

PDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Palo Cedro, CA

Morning in Palo Cedro on Sunday

Local time

7:19 AM

PDT

Current temp

66°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

22 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

4h 39m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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...

5 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 58.9
View on nps.gov
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 58.9
View on nps.gov
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour $15 near mile 243.9
View on nps.gov
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

22 mi from route ~54 min detour Free near mile 42
View on nps.gov
Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

National Monument

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,...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour $15 near mile 58.9
View on nps.gov
Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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...

29 mi from route ~73 min detour Free near mile 58.9
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 243.9-mile journey. With 85% of the route utilizing interstates, you'll experience efficient travel for much of the 4 hours and 39 minutes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 146.9 miles on I-505. This means you'll spend a significant amount of time on fast-paced, multi-lane highways. While this offers speed, be prepared for a driving experience that prioritizes direct travel over varied landscapes.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.9 mi on I 505.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 505 and I 680. 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 9/10

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 21 significant decision points across 243.9 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 Palo Cedro, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento and Redding.

Sacramento

50.3 mi in | ~1h | via I 680

Redding

85.8 mi in | ~1h 41m

About the Cities

Starting in San Jose, CA

Full guide →

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.

Arriving in Palo Cedro, CA

Full guide →

Palo Cedro is a rural community of less than 3,000 people in the Shasta Cascades region of California.

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 4h 39m. Total distance: 243.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 146.9 miles on I 505. 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 Palo Cedro, 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, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Palo Cedro, 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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