How far is San Jose, CA from Alta Sierra, CA?

The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Alta Sierra, CA is about 276.4 miles (444.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 216.2 miles (347.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
276.42 mi
05h 38m
Flight
216.19 mi
347.93 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Jose.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
216.19 mi
Kilometers
347.93 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
276.42 mi
Kilometers
444.85 km
Drive Time
05h 38m

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 05h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alta Sierra
Sun, Apr 19, 4:37 AM PDT
Return by in San Jose
Sun, Apr 19, 10:16 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Jose
2026-04-18T22:59
Arrive Alta Sierra
Sun, Apr 19, 4:37 AM PDT
Route Timing
05h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:38 AM to 1:38 PM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:44 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Jose
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Barstow
CA

City in San Bernardino County, California, United States

From San Jose
138.1 mi
02h 49m
To Alta Sierra
138.3 mi
02h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph W
Destination
55°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Jose and Alta Sierra.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Alta Sierra.

  1. 1

    Start on North Market Street

    33 m · 6 sec · North Market Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Devine Street

    84 m · 18 sec · Devine Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North San Pedro Street

    93 m · 18 sec · North San Pedro Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Saint James Street

    602 ft · 16 sec · West Saint James Street

  5. 5

    Continue on West Julian Street

    109 m · 7 sec · West Julian Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward CA 87 South

    1213 ft · 32 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Guadalupe Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Guadalupe Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Guadalupe Parkway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Guadalupe Parkway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Santa Teresa Boulevard

    2182 ft · 31 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Santa Teresa Boulevard

    673 ft · 23 sec · Santa Teresa Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn left onto CA 85 South

    1533 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  13. 13

    Continue on US 101 South

    1922 ft · 27 sec

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    20.3 mi · 23 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road

    1539 ft · 40 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East 10th Street

    108 m · 13 sec · East 10th Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway

    82.6 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Pacheco Pass Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on Eastbound California State Route 152

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Eastbound California State Route 152

  19. 19

    Continue on EB SR 152 to SB SR 99

    1787 ft · 24 sec · EB SR 152 to SB SR 99

  20. 20

    Continue on Southbound California State Route 99

    33.5 mi · 38 min · Southbound California State Route 99

  21. 21

    Keep slight left

    41 mi · 44 min

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway

    34.9 mi · 37 min · Golden State Highway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 155 east

    821 ft · 23 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Ellington Street

    2044 ft · 39 sec · Ellington Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Garces Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Garces Highway

  26. 26

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Garces Highway

    41 m · 2 sec · Garces Highway

  27. 27

    Exit the roundabout onto Garces Highway

    24.9 mi · 37 min · Garces Highway

  28. 28

    Continue on Bakersfield-Glennville Road

    9.9 mi · 15 min · Bakersfield-Glennville Road

  29. 29

    Continue on Evans Road

    8 mi · 12 min · Evans Road

  30. 30

    Continue on Evans Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Evans Road

  31. 31

    Continue on Evans Road

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Evans Road

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Old State Road

    2227 ft · 1 min · Old State Road

  33. 33

    Continue on Old State Road

    148 m · 21 sec · Old State Road

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Old State Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Alta Sierra.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
34 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pacheco Pass Highway
82.6 mi · 30%
Southbound California State Route 99
74.4 mi · 27%
Golden State Highway
34.9 mi · 13%
Garces Highway
26.4 mi · 10%
US 101 South
20.6 mi · 7%
Evans Road
13 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Pacheco Pass Highway

Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway

82.6 mi · 01h 42m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 38m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+60.2 mi
216.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Barstow
02h 49m from San Jose
Leave By
5:44 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving San Jose and Mostly Sunny near Alta Sierra.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Alta Sierra?

The road trip is about 276.4 miles (444.8 km) and usually takes 05h 38m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Barstow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.1 miles from San Jose and 138.3 miles from Alta Sierra.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 216.2 miles (347.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.2 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 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:44 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.25 one way or $112.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Jose and Mostly Sunny near Alta Sierra.

Stop Ideas Near Barstow

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Barstow, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Barstow.

RAIL

Madera

18 mi away
Avenue 15 1/2 at 29th Road
RAIL

Fresno station

19 mi away
2650 Tulare St.
BUS

Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California

49 mi away
25th Ave and Highway 198
RAIL

Hanford station

61 mi away
200 Santa Fe Avenue #A

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Alta Sierra. Straight-line distance: 216.19 mi (347.93 km).

San Jose

#1 San Jose

The tenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Jose metropolitan area.

Population1,013,616
Coordinates37.3393900, -121.8949600
Altitude26
CountryUnited States
Alta Sierra

#2 Alta Sierra

Census-designated place in Nevada County, California

Population7,047
Coordinates35.7312600, -118.5539000
Altitude1743
CountryUnited States
Start: San Jose (-121.89496, 37.33939)
End: Alta Sierra (-118.5539, 35.73126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 445 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.75 gal
36.92 L · about $56.25
Round trip
$112.50
19.5 gal · 73.84 L
Estimated CO2
86.6 kg one way
Round trip: 173.3 kg / 382 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $56.25 $112.50
Mid-grade $6.07 $59.14 $118.29
Premium $6.24 $60.87 $121.74
Diesel $7.57 $73.78 $147.56

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

There is no time difference between San Jose and Alta Sierra. The current time is 22:59:20.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.