How far is Carson, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Carson, CA to San Jose, CA is about 357 miles (574.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 316.1 miles (508.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 38m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Kings County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carson and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carson and San Jose.
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1
Start on West Carson Street
29 m · 9 sec · West Carson Street
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2
Continue on West Carson Street
1346 ft · 37 sec · West Carson Street
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3
Turn right onto South Figueroa Street
1.4 km · 1 min · South Figueroa Street
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4
Turn left onto I 110 North: Los Angeles
965 ft · 26 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Harbor Freeway
1385 ft · 18 sec · Harbor Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 405: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica, Long Beach
94 m · 8 sec
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7
Continue on I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, Long Beach
560 ft · 14 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 405: Santa Monica, San Diego Freeway
2665 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
35.9 mi · 41 min · San Diego Freeway
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10
Merge slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
182.5 mi · 3 hr 16 min · Westside Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
1038 ft · 27 sec
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16
Continue straight
28.7 mi · 33 min
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17
Keep slight right
11.9 mi · 17 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose
2466 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
5.2 mi · 6 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 North: Downtown San Jose
1 km · 51 sec
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22
Continue on Guadalupe Parkway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Guadalupe Parkway
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23
Continue on Guadalupe Freeway
2235 ft · 29 sec · Guadalupe Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward CA 82
1010 ft · 19 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian Street
2389 ft · 52 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North
1469 ft · 36 sec
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27
Keep slight right to continue on Julian Street
982 ft · 26 sec
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28
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
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29
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carson and San Jose.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
183 mi · 03h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Carson 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 Carson to San Jose?
The road trip is about 357 miles (574.6 km) and usually takes 05h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kettleman City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 177.8 miles from Carson and 179.2 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 316.1 miles (508.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:42 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $72.69 one way or $145.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carson and Chance Light Rain near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Kettleman City
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 Kettleman City.
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Corcoran station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carson and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 316.1 mi (508.72 km).
#1 Carson
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 89,860 |
| Coordinates | 33.8314100, -118.2820200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| 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: 575 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $72.69 | $145.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $76.43 | $152.86 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $78.66 | $157.32 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $95.34 | $190.69 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.