Origin
San Jose, CA
Late night in San Jose on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Jose, CA to Paradise, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 2m
Distance
200.6 mi
323 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Jose, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Paradise, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
San Jose to Paradise is 200.6 miles and takes about 4 hours 2 minutes via CA 70 and I-680, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast, staying within California for the entire journey. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. You'll find the overall profile is a mixed drive, suggesting a blend of highway speeds and potentially some more varied road conditions as you near your destination. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the South Bay Area to the northern part of the state without extensive planning.
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
100.3 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 70 | 53.7 mi | 1h 2m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| I 680 | 37.3 mi | 42m |
| Luther E Gibson Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Clark Road | 11.8 mi | 17m |
| I 880 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| Golden State Highway | 7.5 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
CA 70
— 53.7 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Paradise, 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
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 80
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
Toward I 80 East: Reno
Use the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 86
Toward I 5, CA 99: Redding, Los Angeles
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 5 North, I 80 East: Redding
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Redding
Use the right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 5 North
25
Merge onto I 5
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Golden State Highway
Toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on CA 99
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Bernie Richter Memorial Highway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
22 mi
·
25 min
·
CA 70
Toward CA 70 North: Marysville, Oroville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
5th Street
30
Turn left onto B Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
B Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on CA 70
30 mi
·
35 min
·
CA 70
Use the left lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 70
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 70
33
Turn left onto CA 191
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Clark Road
34
Continue on CA 191
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
Clark Road
35
Turn left onto Elliott Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Elliott Road
36
Arrive at destination
Elliott Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You could aim for an early morning departure from San Jose to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan to stop. The longest stretch without a town is over 53 miles on CA 70, so ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before you embark on that segment. While there's only one recommended stop, factor in additional short breaks as needed to stay alert. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, it's a relatively budget-friendly drive, allowing for some flexibility in your spending on the road.
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 100.3 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.7 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 44 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.3 miles or 1h 58m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paradise, 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 200.6 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 CA 70 for about 53.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.3 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 295 decision points cluster between mile 12.7 and 120 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
116.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 5, CA 99: Redding, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 86
Toward I 5, CA 99: Redding, Los Angeles
8
116.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Redding
8
120 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
CA 99 / Golden State Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99 / Golden State Highway toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 99 North, CA 70: Yuba City, Marysvill...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.11 one way
$92.21 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $47.51 | $95.02 |
| premium | $6.18 | $48.78 | $97.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.29 | $88.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.06 | $9.63 |
| Efficient EV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.55 | $8.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.2 | 1 | $28.08 | $12.84 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Paradise, CA
Late night in Paradise on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°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
16 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 2m 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
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 55.3
View on nps.gov
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
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 55.3
View on nps.gov
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 48.4
View on nps.gov
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,...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
$15
near mile 55.3
View on nps.gov
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 55.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with about 60% of it being highway travel. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-680, allowing for consistent speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 53.7 miles on CA 70, providing a solid period of open road. As you progress, the character of the drive will evolve from the more urban and suburban stretches to potentially more open or rural scenery, especially as you transition onto CA 70. It’s not an entirely monotonous highway journey, but the majority of the miles are on well-maintained, higher-speed roads.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.7 mi on CA 70.
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 12.7 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 29 significant decision points across 200.6 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 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Paradise, CA, road signs point toward Sacramento, Los Angeles, Redding, Marysville and Oroville.
Sacramento
10.9 mi in
|
~14m
|
via CA 262
Los Angeles
116.4 mi in
|
~2h 17m
Redding
116.9 mi in
|
~2h 18m
Marysville
120 mi in
|
~2h 22m
|
via CA 99
Oroville
132.5 mi in
|
~2h 36m
|
via CA 70
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
Arriving in Paradise, CA
Full guide →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 2m. Total distance: 200.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.7 miles on CA 70. 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 Paradise, 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 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (I 680 / Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Paradise, 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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