How far is Day Valley, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Day Valley, CA to San Jose, CA is about 45.2 miles (72.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.1 miles (33.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 22m 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 11m.
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 Santa Cruz County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Day Valley and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Day Valley and San Jose.
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1
Start on Fern Flat Road
3 mi · 11 min · Fern Flat Road
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2
Turn right onto Trout Gulch Road
3.8 mi · 9 min · Trout Gulch Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Trout Gulch Road
2587 ft · 1 min · Trout Gulch Road
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4
Turn right onto Soquel Drive
3129 ft · 1 min · Soquel Drive
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5
Turn left onto State Park Drive
139 m · 11 sec · State Park Drive
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6
Take the ramp straight
1222 ft · 30 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Cabrillo Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland
2245 ft · 28 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
25.8 mi · 34 min · Santa Cruz Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 South: Downtown San Jose
2969 ft · 51 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Sinclair Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Sinclair Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 North, CA 87 South: San Jose International Airport, Guadalupe Parkway
1244 ft · 30 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North: San Jose International Airport, Guadalupe Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North
1469 ft · 36 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Julian Street
982 ft · 26 sec
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16
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
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17
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Day Valley 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.
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 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 Day Valley and Mostly Sunny near San Jose.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Day Valley to San Jose?
The road trip is about 45.2 miles (72.8 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?
Scotts Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.4 miles from Day Valley and 22.9 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.1 miles (33.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 4:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.23 one way or $18.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Day Valley and Mostly Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Scotts Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
BikeLink : Santa Cruz City Hall
Santa Cruz Parking Office
Orchard City Banquet Hall - Campbell
First Capitola City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Scotts Valley.
Scotts Valley, California
Santa Cruz (Metro Center), California
Morgan Hill, California
San Jose Diridon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Day Valley and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 21.05 mi (33.88 km).
#1 Day Valley
Census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, California
| Population | 3,409 |
| Coordinates | 37.0357800, -121.8624600 |
| Altitude | 403 |
| 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: 73 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.23 | $18.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $9.71 | $19.41 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $9.99 | $19.98 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $12.11 | $24.21 |
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 · May 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.