How far is Half Moon Bay, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Half Moon Bay, CA to San Jose, CA is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m 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 00h 45m.
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.
Private research university located in Stanford, California, United States
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 Half Moon Bay and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Half Moon Bay and San Jose.
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1
Start on Kelly Street
58 m · 9 sec · Kelly Street
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
1634 ft · 42 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn right onto San Mateo Road
4.9 mi · 8 min · San Mateo Road
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4
Continue on Half Moon Bay Road
2.7 mi · 5 min · Half Moon Bay Road
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 South: San Jose
1515 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
27.4 mi · 32 min · Junipero Serra Freeway
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7
Continue on Sinclair Freeway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Sinclair Freeway
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8
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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9
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North: San Jose International Airport, Guadalupe Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North
1469 ft · 36 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Julian Street
982 ft · 26 sec
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12
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
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13
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Half Moon Bay 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.
Junipero Serra Freeway
Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
27.4 mi · 00h 32m
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 Half Moon Bay 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 Half Moon Bay to San Jose?
The road trip is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?
Stanford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.1 miles from Half Moon Bay and 20.1 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.7 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 4:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.19 one way or $16.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Half Moon Bay and Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Stanford
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 Stanford.
Santa Clara – Great America station
Fremont station
Santa Clara station
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Half Moon Bay and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 30.52 mi (49.12 km).
#1 Half Moon Bay
City in San Mateo County, California
| Population | 12,513 |
| Coordinates | 37.4635500, -122.4285900 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| 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: 65 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.19 | $16.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.61 | $17.23 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.87 | $17.73 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.75 | $21.49 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.