How far is Modesto, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Modesto, CA to San Jose, CA is about 82.8 miles (133.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53.4 miles (86 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 57m 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 28m.
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.
A city in Alameda County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Modesto and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Modesto and San Jose.
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1
Start on 11th Street
25 m · 11 sec · 11th Street
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2
Turn left onto H Street
1895 ft · 1 min · H Street
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3
Turn right onto 6th Street
148 m · 16 sec · 6th Street
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4
Take the ramp straight
941 ft · 23 sec
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5
Merge slight left
14 mi · 16 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 120 West: Manteca, San Francisco
1.5 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight right
6.8 mi · 8 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Westside Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
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10
Continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
1611 ft · 41 sec
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12
Turn left onto Isabel Avenue
4.7 mi · 7 min · Isabel Avenue
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13
Continue on Vallecitos Road
5.2 mi · 7 min · Vallecitos Road
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
2276 ft · 56 sec
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15
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 262
866 ft · 21 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
1597 ft · 39 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Mission Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mission Boulevard
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19
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Nimitz Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, North First Street
991 ft · 26 sec
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21
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
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22
Turn right onto West Julian Street
151 m · 18 sec · West Julian Street
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23
Turn left onto North Market Street
60 m · 7 sec · North Market Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Modesto and San Jose.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
6th Street
Merge slight left
14 mi · 00h 16m
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.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny leaving Modesto 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 Modesto to San Jose?
The road trip is about 82.8 miles (133.3 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?
Livermore is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.7 miles from Modesto and 42.1 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53.4 miles (86 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.4 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 3:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.85 one way or $33.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny around Modesto and Chance Light Rain near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Livermore
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 Livermore.
Livermore, California
Livermore, CA
Pleasanton, CA
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Modesto and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 53.41 mi (85.96 km).
#1 Modesto
The third most populous city in Stanislaus County, California.
| Population | 215,666 |
| Coordinates | 37.6391000, -120.9968800 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| 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: 133 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $16.85 | $33.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $17.71 | $35.43 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $18.23 | $36.46 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $22.10 | $44.19 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.