How far is National City, CA from San Jose, CA?
Fastest route
Here are some tips and suggestions for your trip from National City, California, to San Jose, California. The total distance is approximately 464 miles (746 kilometers), and the estimated travel time is around 7 hours and 58 minutes.
Directions
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🚗 Get on I-5 N:
- Head west on E 8th St toward G Ave.
- Continue straight to stay on E 8th St.
- Turn right to merge onto I-5 N.
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🛣️ Follow I-5 N to CA-152 W/CA-33 N in Merced County. Take exit 403B from I-5 N:
- Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 13A for CA-15 N toward Riverside.
- Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 3 to merge onto I-805 N toward Los Angeles.
- Continue onto San Diego Fwy.
- Continue onto I-5 N/San Diego Fwy.
- Keep right to stay on I-5 N.
- Keep left at the fork to stay on I-5 N, follow signs for Santa Ana.
- Keep right to stay on I-5 N.
- Keep right at the fork to stay on I-5 N, follow signs for Interstate 5 N/Sacramento.
- Keep left at the fork to stay on I-5 N.
- Keep right at the fork to stay on I-5 N, follow signs for San Francisco/Sacramento.
- Take exit 403B to merge onto CA-152 W/CA-33 N toward Gilroy/Hollister/San Jose.
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🚘 Get on US-101 N in Gilroy:
- Merge onto CA-152 W/CA-33 N.
- Slight right to stay on CA-152 W.
- Use the right lane to take the ramp onto US-101 N.
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🚗 Follow US-101 N to your destination in San Jose. Take exit 386A from US-101 N:
- Follow US-101 N until you reach your destination in San Jose.
- Take exit 386A for Alum Rock Ave toward Santa Clara St.
- Turn left onto E Santa Clara St.
- Pass by KFC (on the left in 1.2 mi).
Tips & Suggestions
- 🛣️ Plan ahead and check for any road closures or construction updates that might affect your route.
- ⛽ It's a long drive, so make sure your vehicle is in good condition and has enough fuel.
- 🍴 Consider taking breaks along the way to rest and grab some food. Look for scenic spots or interesting places to explore during your stops.
- 🚓 Observe speed limits and traffic rules to ensure a safe journey.
- 📱 Bring a phone charger and have a fully charged phone for navigation and emergencies.
- 🚧 Be prepared for potential traffic delays, especially in urban areas. Stay patient and stay focused on the road.
- 🛣️ Enjoy the journey! Take in the sights and make some great memories along the way.
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 07h 19m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Monterey County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between National City and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between National City and San Jose.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto East 8th Street
42 m · 12 sec · East 8th Street
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3
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
2645 ft · 51 sec · Highland Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Division Street
2387 ft · 55 sec · Division Street
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5
Turn left onto North Palm Avenue
871 ft · 17 sec · North Palm Avenue
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6
Continue on South 47th Street
733 ft · 20 sec · South 47th Street
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7
Turn left onto I 805 North
1059 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Jacob Dekema Freeway
16.6 mi · 19 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
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9
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 56 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
35.4 mi · 42 min · San Diego Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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16
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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17
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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18
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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19
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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20
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
25
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
-
26
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
-
27
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
28
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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30
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
182.5 mi · 3 hr 16 min · Westside Freeway
-
31
Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 West: Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose
1038 ft · 27 sec
-
32
Continue straight
28.7 mi · 33 min
-
33
Keep slight right
11.9 mi · 17 min
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34
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose
2466 ft · 1 min
-
35
Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway
-
36
Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View
5.2 mi · 6 min
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37
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 North: Downtown San Jose
1 km · 51 sec
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38
Continue on Guadalupe Parkway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Guadalupe Parkway
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39
Continue on Guadalupe Freeway
2235 ft · 29 sec · Guadalupe Freeway
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40
Take the exit slight right toward CA 82
1010 ft · 19 sec
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41
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian Street
2389 ft · 52 sec
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42
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North
1469 ft · 36 sec
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43
Keep slight right to continue on Julian Street
982 ft · 26 sec
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44
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
-
45
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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46
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between National City and San Jose.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
183 mi · 03h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving National City 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 National City to San Jose?
The road trip is about 471.1 miles (758.2 km) and usually takes 07h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Greenfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 232.1 miles from National City and 239 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 421 miles (677.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.1 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $95.88 one way or $191.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 147.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around National City and Chance Light Rain near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Greenfield
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 Greenfield.
Bakersfield
Wasco station
Tehachapi, California
Mojave, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between National City and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 421.03 mi (677.59 km).
#1 National City
The most populous city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 61,394 |
| Coordinates | 32.6781100, -117.0992000 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| 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: 758 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 15h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $95.88 | $191.76 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $100.82 | $201.63 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $103.76 | $207.52 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $125.76 | $251.53 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.