Spanning 112.8 miles from San Jose to Woodland, this trip typically takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Because the duration is quite manageable, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $15 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, you will remain in the same geographic area throughout the drive. Navigating this route involves using Coleman Avenue and the I-880 North, also known as the Nimitz Freeway. It is a practical, direct transit between these two California locations that offers simple planning for your busy schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.4 miles from San Jose, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 680
37.3 mi
42m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
28.9 mi
33m
Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi
13m
Vic Fazio Highway
11.1 mi
12m
I 880
8.5 mi
9m
Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
7.9 mi
9m
CA 262
1.6 mi
2m
Coleman Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 680
— 37.3 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Woodland, 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
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, SacramentoUse 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 71AToward 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 right at fork onto CA 113
11 mi·12 min·Vic Fazio Highway
Exit 70Toward CA 113 North: WoodlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward I 5 South: Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto I 5 BUS
0.9 mi·2 min·East Main Street
21
Turn right onto East Street
460 ft·16 sec·East Street
22
Turn left onto Court Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Court Street
23
Turn left onto 1st Street
96 ft·4 sec·1st Street
24
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 2-hour and 15-minute journey, timing your departure to avoid peak local traffic is essential for a smooth experience. Since there are 0 planned stops in the provided data, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave San Jose to cover the $15 cost comfortably. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for city traffic density. Because the route relies on local roads rather than highway miles, keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the frequent turns accurately. Prioritize a well-rested start, as the technical nature of these roads requires more active maneuvering than a standard freeway drive.
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 56.4 miles from San Jose, CA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.4 miles or 1h 7m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodland, 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 112.8 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from San Jose, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 680 for about 37.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 99.9 — 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
99.9 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|CA 113 / Vic Fazio Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 113 / Vic Fazio Highway toward CA 113 North: Woodland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 70
Toward CA 113 North: Woodland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.93 one way
$51.85 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$26.72
$53.43
premium
$6.18
$27.43
$54.86
diesel
$5.61
$24.90
$49.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.8
0
$11.84
$5.41
Efficient EV
28.2
0
$9.87
$4.51
EV Truck/SUV
45.1
0
$15.79
$7.22
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
San Jose, CA
Late night
in San Jose on Tuesday
Local time
3:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Woodland, CA
Late night
in Woodland on Tuesday
Local time
3:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°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
1 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
2h 15m 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
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 54.5
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 46.7
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 46.7
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 58.4
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
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 58.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a wide-open interstate cruise. With a highway share of 0%, your time behind the wheel will be defined by local navigation rather than long stretches of high-speed travel. You will face frequent transitions, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Coleman Avenue. This profile requires your full attention, as the route lacks the monotonous rhythm found on major highways. You should prepare for a hands-on driving experience that demands constant focus on local road conditions rather than just settling into a cruise-control pace.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.3 mi on I 680.
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 20 significant decision points across 112.8 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.
On the drive from San Jose, CA to Woodland, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.
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 2h 15m. Total distance: 112.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.3 miles on I 680. 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 Woodland, 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. 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 San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). 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 Woodland, CA before heading back.
