How far is Rio Del Mar, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Rio Del Mar, CA to San Jose, CA is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.7 miles (41.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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 46m.
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 in California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rio Del Mar and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Del Mar and San Jose.
-
1
Start on Rio del Mar Boulevard
90 m · 7 sec · Rio del Mar Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Highland Drive
999 ft · 28 sec · Highland Drive
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3
Turn left onto Aptos Beach Drive
115 m · 11 sec · Aptos Beach Drive
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4
Turn right onto Spreckels Drive
766 ft · 21 sec · Spreckels Drive
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5
Turn slight right
25 m · 5 sec
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6
Turn right onto Spreckels Drive
1645 ft · 50 sec · Spreckels Drive
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7
Turn left onto Soquel Drive
1851 ft · 46 sec · Soquel Drive
-
8
Turn left onto State Park Drive
139 m · 11 sec · State Park Drive
-
9
Take the ramp straight
1222 ft · 30 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Cabrillo Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland
2245 ft · 28 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
25.8 mi · 34 min · Santa Cruz Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 South: Downtown San Jose
2969 ft · 51 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Sinclair Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Sinclair Freeway
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15
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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16
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North: San Jose International Airport, Guadalupe Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North
1469 ft · 36 sec
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on Julian Street
982 ft · 26 sec
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19
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
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20
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Del Mar 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.
Santa Cruz Highway
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
25.8 mi · 00h 34m
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Rio Del Mar 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 Rio Del Mar to San Jose?
The road trip is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Lexington Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19 miles from Rio Del Mar and 20.2 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.7 miles (41.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 $7.96 one way or $15.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Rio Del Mar and Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
BikeLink : Santa Cruz City Hall
Cupertino Teen Center
Orchard City Banquet Hall - Campbell
First Capitola City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington Hills.
Scotts Valley, California
San Jose Diridon station
Santa Clara station
Santa Cruz (Metro Center), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Del Mar and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 25.64 mi (41.27 km).
#1 Rio Del Mar
Census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, California
| Population | 9,216 |
| Coordinates | 36.9682800, -121.9002300 |
| Altitude | 44 |
| 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 (-121.894962, 37.339389)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 63 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.96 | $15.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.37 | $16.74 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.62 | $17.23 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.44 | $20.88 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.