How far is Carmichael, CA from San Jose, CA?

The driving distance from Carmichael, CA to San Jose, CA is about 132.2 miles (212.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 93.5 miles (150.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
132.22 mi
02h 14m
Flight
93.52 mi
150.51 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carmichael.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
93.52 mi
Kilometers
150.51 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
132.22 mi
Kilometers
212.78 km
Drive Time
02h 14m

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 02h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Jose
Wed, Apr 22, 8:36 PM PDT
Return by in Carmichael
Wed, Apr 22, 10:50 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carmichael
2026-04-22T18:21
Arrive San Jose
Wed, Apr 22, 8:36 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:15 AM to 12:15 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:00 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carmichael
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Benicia
CA

City in Solano County, California, United States

From Carmichael
63.6 mi
01h 07m
To San Jose
68.6 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 mph S
Destination
64°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Carmichael and San Jose.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carmichael and San Jose.

  1. 1

    Start on Palm Drive

    24 m · 4 sec · Palm Drive

  2. 2

    Continue on Marconi Avenue

    5 mi · 10 min · Marconi Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp sharp left toward I 80 Business West

    1166 ft · 28 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Capital City Freeway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Capital City Freeway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Capital City Freeway

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital City Freeway

    5.7 mi · 6 min · Capital City Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Yolo Causeway

    3.9 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    37.2 mi · 43 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose

    3211 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Luther E Gibson Freeway

    12.4 mi · 14 min · Luther E Gibson Freeway

  11. 11

    Continue on Benicia-Martinez Bridge

    8 mi · 9 min · Benicia-Martinez Bridge

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Donald D Doyle Highway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Donald D Doyle Highway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Donald D Doyle Highway

    31 mi · 36 min · Donald D Doyle Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 262

    866 ft · 21 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District

    1597 ft · 39 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Mission Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Mission Boulevard

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway

    8.3 mi · 10 min · Nimitz Freeway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, North First Street

    991 ft · 26 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North 1st Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West Julian Street

    151 m · 18 sec · West Julian Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto North Market Street

    60 m · 7 sec · North Market Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Carmichael and San Jose.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
37.2 mi · 28%
Donald D Doyle Highway
32.4 mi · 24%
Luther E Gibson Freeway
12.4 mi · 9%
Capital City Freeway
10.6 mi · 8%
Nimitz Freeway
8.3 mi · 6%
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
8.03 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

37.2 mi · 00h 43m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.7 mi
93.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Benicia
01h 07m from Carmichael
Leave By
2:00 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Carmichael and Chance Light Rain near San Jose.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Carmichael to San Jose?

The road trip is about 132.2 miles (212.8 km) and usually takes 02h 14m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Benicia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.6 miles from Carmichael and 68.6 miles from San Jose.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 93.5 miles (150.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:00 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.94 one way or $53.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Carmichael and Chance Light Rain near San Jose.

Stop Ideas Near Benicia

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Benicia, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Benicia.

RAIL

Martinez station

4 mi away
601 Marina Vista Ave.
BUS

Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California

11 mi away
Highway 37 and Fairgrounds Drive
BUS

Vallejo, California

13 mi away
4355 Sonoma Blvd.
RAIL

Richmond station

21 mi away
1700 Nevin Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carmichael and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 93.52 mi (150.51 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Carmichael

A city in Sacramento County, California.

Population61,762
Coordinates38.6171300, -121.3282800
Altitude37
CountryUnited States
San Jose

#2 San Jose

The tenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Jose metropolitan area.

Population1,013,616
Coordinates37.3393900, -121.8949600
Altitude26
CountryUnited States
Start: Palm Drive (-121.328287, 38.616989)
End: North Market Street (-121.894962, 37.339389)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 213 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.67 gal
17.66 L · about $26.94
Round trip
$53.88
9.34 gal · 35.32 L
Estimated CO2
41.5 kg one way
Round trip: 83 kg / 183 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $26.94 $53.88
Mid-grade $6.07 $28.33 $56.66
Premium $6.24 $29.15 $58.31
Diesel $7.57 $35.34 $70.68

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Carmichael and San Jose. The current time is 18:21:41.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.