How far is Madera, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Madera, CA to San Jose, CA is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 24m 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 02h 12m.
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 Merced County, California, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madera and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madera and San Jose.
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1
Start on North Gateway Drive
801 ft · 18 sec · North Gateway Drive
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2
Turn left onto West 4th Street
805 ft · 26 sec · West 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto North H Street
848 ft · 17 sec · North H Street
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4
Take the ramp slight left
940 ft · 23 sec
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5
Merge slight left
11.2 mi · 13 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on NB SR 99 to WB 152
2067 ft · 27 sec · NB SR 99 to WB 152
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7
Continue on Westbound California State Route 152
1.4 km · 60 sec · Westbound California State Route 152
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8
Continue on Avenue 23
70.4 mi · 1 hr 25 min · Avenue 23
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9
Keep slight right
11.9 mi · 17 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose
2466 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
5.2 mi · 6 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 North: Downtown San Jose
1 km · 51 sec
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14
Continue on Guadalupe Parkway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Guadalupe Parkway
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15
Continue on Guadalupe Freeway
2235 ft · 29 sec · Guadalupe Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 82
1010 ft · 19 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian Street
2389 ft · 52 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North
1469 ft · 36 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Julian Street
982 ft · 26 sec
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20
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
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21
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madera and San Jose.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue 23
Continue on Avenue 23
70.4 mi · 01h 25m
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 Madera 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 Madera to San Jose?
The road trip is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km) and usually takes 02h 12m 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?
Gustine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.8 miles from Madera and 64.6 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 104.3 miles (167.9 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 2:06 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.13 one way or $52.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madera and Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Gustine
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 Gustine.
Denair station
Modesto station
Merced station
Gilroy, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madera and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 104.33 mi (167.91 km).
#1 Madera
The most populous city in Madera County, California.
| Population | 66,723 |
| Coordinates | 36.9613400, -120.0607200 |
| Altitude | 83 |
| 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: 207 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $26.13 | $52.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $27.48 | $54.96 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $28.28 | $56.56 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $34.28 | $68.56 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.