How far is San Francisco, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to San Jose, CA is about 47.9 miles (77.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 41.6 miles (67 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m 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 49m.
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.
City in San Mateo County, California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and San Jose.
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1
Start on Market Street
95 m · 8 sec · Market Street
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2
Turn right onto 11th Street
3173 ft · 2 min · 11th Street
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3
Turn left onto Bryant Street
143 m · 18 sec · Bryant Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1719 ft · 29 sec
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5
Merge slight right onto James Lick Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
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6
Continue on Bayshore Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Bayshore Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
25 mi · 29 min · Bayshore Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Bayshore Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
2145 ft · 53 sec
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10
Continue on Guadalupe Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Guadalupe Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Julian Street, Saint James Street
1661 ft · 42 sec
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12
Turn left onto West Julian Street
682 ft · 23 sec · West Julian Street
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13
Continue on West Saint James Street
867 ft · 30 sec · West Saint James Street
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14
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 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 San Francisco 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.
Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
25 mi · 00h 29m
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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco to San Jose?
The road trip is about 47.9 miles (77.1 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?
San Carlos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.8 miles from San Francisco and 24.1 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 41.6 miles (67 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 4:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.75 one way or $19.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Francisco and Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near San Carlos
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 San Carlos.
Fremont station
Hayward station
Oakland Coliseum station
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 41.6 mi (66.95 km).
#1 San Francisco
The seventeenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Francisco Bay Area.
| Population | 866,606 |
| Coordinates | 37.7749300, -122.4194200 |
| Altitude | 16 |
| 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: 77 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.75 | $19.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.25 | $20.50 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.55 | $21.10 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $12.79 | $25.58 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.