How far is Chinatown, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Chinatown, CA to San Jose, CA is about 50 miles (80.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 02m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in San Mateo County, California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chinatown and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chinatown and San Jose.
-
1
Start on Pacific Avenue
133 m · 26 sec · Pacific Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Powell Street
975 ft · 45 sec · Powell Street
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3
Turn left onto Clay Street
146 m · 17 sec · Clay Street
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4
Turn right onto Stockton Street
3164 ft · 2 min · Stockton Street
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5
Continue on 4th Street
2560 ft · 2 min · 4th Street
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6
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South, I 80 West: San Jose
1219 ft · 21 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Route 80
1444 ft · 25 sec · Route 80
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8
Continue on Route 80
1893 ft · 32 sec · Route 80
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9
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 South: San Jose
1488 ft · 25 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto James Lick Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
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11
Continue on Bayshore Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Bayshore Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
25 mi · 29 min · Bayshore Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Bayshore Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
2145 ft · 53 sec
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15
Continue on Guadalupe Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Guadalupe Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Julian Street, Saint James Street
1661 ft · 42 sec
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17
Turn left onto West Julian Street
682 ft · 23 sec · West Julian Street
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18
Continue on West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
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19
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chinatown and San Jose.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
25 mi · 00h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Chinatown 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 Chinatown to San Jose?
The road trip is about 50 miles (80.5 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?
San Carlos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.5 miles from Chinatown and 25.5 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 4:24 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.02 one way or $22.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chinatown and Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near San Carlos
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 San Carlos.
Fremont station
Hayward station
Oakland Coliseum station
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chinatown and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 42.3 mi (68.07 km).
#1 Chinatown
Situated on the hilly terrain of downtown San Francisco at an average elevation of 95 feet, this densely populated neighborhood serves as a significant historical and cultural center for the Chinese diaspora in North America.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.7966000, -122.4085800 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| 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 (-121.894962, 37.339389)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 81 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $11.02 | $22.04 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $11.44 | $22.88 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $11.77 | $23.55 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $14.81 | $29.61 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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