How far is Ferndale, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Ferndale, CA to San Jose, CA is about 306.5 miles (493.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 257.3 miles (414.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 36m 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 18m.
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 Mendocino County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ferndale and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ferndale and San Jose.
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1
Start on Main Street
4.8 mi · 10 min · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Fernbridge Drive
1 km · 60 sec · Fernbridge Drive
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3
Take the ramp straight
971 ft · 24 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
116.7 mi · 2 hr 24 min · Redwood Highway
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5
Continue on Willits Bypass
5.4 mi · 6 min · Willits Bypass
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6
Continue on Redwood Highway
116.2 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Redwood Highway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
13.6 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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8
Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Eastshore Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
14.3 mi · 18 min · Nimitz Freeway
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11
Keep slight left
5.6 mi · 6 min
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12
Keep slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left
19.4 mi · 22 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, North First Street
991 ft · 26 sec
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15
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
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16
Turn right onto West Julian Street
151 m · 18 sec · West Julian Street
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17
Turn left onto North Market Street
60 m · 7 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 Ferndale and San Jose.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Redwood Highway
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
117 mi · 02h 24m
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.
Scattered Rain Showers leaving Ferndale 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 Ferndale to San Jose?
The road trip is about 306.5 miles (493.2 km) and usually takes 05h 18m 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?
Talmage is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.5 miles from Ferndale and 153.9 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 257.3 miles (414.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.2 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 6:24 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $62.42 one way or $124.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Ferndale and Chance Light Rain near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Talmage
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
Ukiah Parks & Recreation Department
Elks Lodge
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Talmage.
Ukiah, California
Willits, California
Cloverdale, California
Healdsburg (Singletree Inn), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ferndale and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 257.3 mi (414.08 km).
#1 Ferndale
Town in Humboldt County, California, United States
| Population | 1,362 |
| Coordinates | 40.5762400, -124.2639400 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| 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: 493 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $62.42 | $124.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $65.63 | $131.27 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $67.55 | $135.10 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $81.87 | $163.75 |
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.