How far is Capitola, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Capitola, CA to San Jose, CA is about 34.9 miles (56.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.4 miles (40.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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 42m.
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.
Census-designated place in California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Capitola and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Capitola and San Jose.
-
1
Start on Riverview Drive
11 m · 6 sec · Riverview Drive
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2
Continue on Riverview Drive
65 m · 18 sec · Riverview Drive
-
3
Turn right onto Capitola Avenue
1367 ft · 42 sec · Capitola Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Bay Avenue
2178 ft · 55 sec · Bay Avenue
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5
Take the ramp left
569 ft · 14 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Cabrillo Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland
2245 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
25.8 mi · 34 min · Santa Cruz Highway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 South: Downtown San Jose
2969 ft · 51 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Sinclair Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Sinclair Freeway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 North, CA 87 South: San Jose International Airport, Guadalupe Parkway
1244 ft · 30 sec
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North: San Jose International Airport, Guadalupe Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North
1469 ft · 36 sec
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on Julian Street
982 ft · 26 sec
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15
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
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16
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Capitola 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.
Santa Cruz Highway
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
25.8 mi · 00h 34m
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.
Sunny leaving Capitola and Sunny near San Jose.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Capitola to San Jose?
The road trip is about 34.9 miles (56.1 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?
Lexington Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.4 miles from Capitola and 17.5 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.4 miles (40.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 7:06 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.10 one way or $14.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Capitola and Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
First Capitola City Hall
City of Santa Clara
San José City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington Hills.
Scotts Valley, California
San Jose Diridon station
Santa Clara station
Santa Cruz (Metro Center), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Capitola and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 25.36 mi (40.82 km).
#1 Capitola
City in California
| Population | 9,959 |
| Coordinates | 36.9752300, -121.9532900 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.10 | $14.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $7.46 | $14.92 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $7.68 | $15.36 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $9.31 | $18.61 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.