How far is San Carlos, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from San Carlos, CA to San Jose, CA is about 25.1 miles (40.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 28m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Community in Contra Costa County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Carlos and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Carlos and San Jose.
-
1
Start on San Carlos Avenue
93 m · 10 sec · San Carlos Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto Laurel Street
638 ft · 32 sec · Laurel Street
-
3
Turn right onto Holly Street
2208 ft · 1 min · Holly Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: San Jose
2849 ft · 1 min
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 South: San Jose
993 ft · 26 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
11.8 mi · 14 min · Bayshore Freeway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Bayshore Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
2145 ft · 53 sec
-
9
Continue on Guadalupe Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Guadalupe Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Julian Street, Saint James Street
1661 ft · 42 sec
-
11
Turn left onto West Julian Street
682 ft · 23 sec · West Julian Street
-
12
Continue on West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
-
13
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Carlos 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.
Bayshore Freeway
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
11.8 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Light Rain leaving San Carlos 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 San Carlos to San Jose?
The road trip is about 25.1 miles (40.4 km) and usually takes 00h 28m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mountain View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.6 miles from San Carlos and 12.6 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.13 one way or $10.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Carlos and Chance Light Rain near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Mountain View
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 Mountain View.
Santa Clara – Great America station
Santa Clara station
San Jose Diridon station
Fremont station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Carlos and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 23.16 mi (37.28 km).
#1 San Carlos
City in San Mateo County, California, USA
| Population | 29,641 |
| Coordinates | 37.5071600, -122.2605200 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| 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: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $5.13 | $10.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $5.40 | $10.80 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $5.56 | $11.11 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $6.73 | $13.47 |
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.