How far is Richmond, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Richmond, CA to San Jose, CA is about 53.5 miles (86.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 48.1 miles (77.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m 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 02m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and San Jose.
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1
Start on Macdonald Avenue
17 m · 9 sec · Macdonald Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 23rd Street
1001 ft · 25 sec · 23rd Street
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3
Turn right onto Barrett Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Barrett Avenue
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 80 West: Oakland
1323 ft · 32 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway
7.2 mi · 9 min · Eastshore Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
14.3 mi · 18 min · Nimitz Freeway
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8
Keep slight left
5.6 mi · 6 min
-
9
Keep slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
10
Keep slight left
19.4 mi · 22 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, North First Street
991 ft · 26 sec
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12
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
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13
Turn right onto West Julian Street
151 m · 18 sec · West Julian Street
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14
Turn left onto North Market Street
60 m · 7 sec · North Market Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond 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.
Nimitz Freeway
Keep slight left
19.4 mi · 00h 22m
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 Richmond 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 Richmond to San Jose?
The road trip is about 53.5 miles (86.1 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?
Cherryland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.3 miles from Richmond and 27.2 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 48.1 miles (77.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 4:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.90 one way or $21.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Richmond and Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Cherryland
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 Cherryland.
Hayward station
Oakland Coliseum station
Fremont station
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 48.08 mi (77.38 km).
#1 Richmond
The most populous city in Contra Costa County, California.
| Population | 110,038 |
| Coordinates | 37.9357600, -122.3477500 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| 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: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $10.90 | $21.81 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $11.46 | $22.93 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $11.80 | $23.60 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $14.30 | $28.60 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.