How far is Atherton, CA from San Jose, CA?
Fastest route
The route from Atherton, California, USA to San Jose, California, USA is approximately 22.4 miles and takes about 30 minutes via US-101 S. The fastest route is recommended due to traffic conditions.
Directions
- Get on US-101 S in Menlo Park from Fair Oaks Ln and Marsh Rd.
- Head northwest on El Camino Real toward Ashfield Rd.
- Turn right at the 2nd cross street onto Fair Oaks Ln.
- Turn right onto Middlefield Rd.
- Use the right lane to merge onto US-101 S via the ramp to San Jose.
- Continue on US-101 S to San Jose. Take exit 6B from CA-87.
- Take exit 390 for CA-87 S. Take exit 6B for Julian St toward St James St. Take W St James St to N 6th St. Use the middle lane to turn left onto W Julian St. Continue onto W St James St.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan your trip in advance to account for any potential delays due to traffic.
- ⚠️ Keep an eye out for road signs and follow the directions to stay on the correct route.
- 🛣️ Use navigation tools or maps to assist you during the journey.
- ⛽ It's a good idea to ensure your vehicle has enough fuel for the trip.
- 📱 Consider using a traffic monitoring app to stay updated on any changes in traffic conditions.
- 🚧 Be aware of any construction or road closures along the way and adjust your route if necessary.
- 🕒 Allow extra time for unexpected delays or detours.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 27m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Community in Contra Costa County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Atherton and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atherton and San Jose.
-
1
Start on El Camino Real
57 m · 8 sec · El Camino Real
-
2
Continue on El Camino Real
1071 ft · 39 sec · El Camino Real
-
3
Turn left onto Watkins Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Watkins Avenue
-
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Middlefield Road
648 ft · 22 sec · Middlefield Road
-
5
Turn right onto Marsh Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Marsh Road
-
6
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1640 ft · 42 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Bayshore Freeway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Bayshore Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
2145 ft · 53 sec
-
10
Continue on Guadalupe Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Guadalupe Freeway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward Julian Street, Saint James Street
1661 ft · 42 sec
-
12
Turn left onto West Julian Street
682 ft · 23 sec · West Julian Street
-
13
Continue on West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
-
14
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Atherton and San Jose.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
8.35 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Atherton and Mostly Sunny near San Jose.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Atherton to San Jose?
The road trip is about 21.8 miles (35.1 km) and usually takes 00h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mountain View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.9 miles from Atherton and 10.9 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.6 miles (30 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.44 one way or $8.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Atherton and Mostly Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Mountain View
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mountain View.
Santa Clara – Great America station
Santa Clara station
San Jose Diridon station
Fremont station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Atherton and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 18.63 mi (29.99 km).
#1 Atherton
City in California
| Population | 7,011 |
| Coordinates | 37.4613300, -122.1977400 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Jose
The tenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Jose metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,013,616 |
| Coordinates | 37.3393900, -121.8949600 |
| Altitude | 26 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Market Street (-121.89496, 37.33939)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.44 | $8.88 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.67 | $9.34 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.81 | $9.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $5.83 | $11.65 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.