How far is Cottonwood, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Cottonwood, CA to San Jose, CA is about 110.5 miles (177.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91.2 miles (146.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 35m 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 47m.
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.
Census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cottonwood and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and San Jose.
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1
Start on County Road 89
2.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 89
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2
Turn left onto County Road 27
1.5 km · 2 min · County Road 27
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3
Take the ramp right
1596 ft · 39 sec
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4
Merge slight left
16.8 mi · 18 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: San Francisco
2201 ft · 54 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14.7 mi · 17 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 680: Benicia, San Jose
3211 ft · 1 min
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8
Continue on Luther E Gibson Freeway
12.4 mi · 14 min · Luther E Gibson Freeway
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9
Continue on Benicia-Martinez Bridge
8 mi · 9 min · Benicia-Martinez Bridge
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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11
Continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
31 mi · 36 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 262
866 ft · 21 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
1597 ft · 39 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Mission Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mission Boulevard
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16
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Nimitz Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, North First Street
991 ft · 26 sec
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18
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
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19
Turn right onto West Julian Street
151 m · 18 sec · West Julian Street
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20
Turn left onto North Market Street
60 m · 7 sec · North Market Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood 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.
Donald D Doyle Highway
Keep slight right to continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
31 mi · 00h 36m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood to San Jose?
The road trip is about 110.5 miles (177.9 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Vine Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.1 miles from Cottonwood and 57.5 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91.2 miles (146.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.3 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 2:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.50 one way or $45.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cottonwood and Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Vine Hill
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Berkeley Community Media
El Cerrito City Hall
Old Maple Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Vine Hill.
Martinez station
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Richmond station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 91.22 mi (146.8 km).
#1 Cottonwood
Ghost town in Yolo County, California
| Population | 3,850 |
| Coordinates | 38.6582400, -121.9710800 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| 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: 178 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $23.66 | $47.31 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $24.35 | $48.70 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $29.51 | $59.02 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.