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

The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Alta Sierra, CA is about 168.5 miles (271.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 132.6 miles (213.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 47m 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
168.49 mi
03h 23m
Flight
132.62 mi
213.43 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
132.62 mi
Kilometers
213.43 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
168.49 mi
Kilometers
271.16 km
Drive Time
03h 23m

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 03h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alta Sierra
Tue, Apr 14, 10:44 PM PDT
Return by in San Jose
Wed, Apr 15, 2:08 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Jose
2026-04-14T19:21
Arrive Alta Sierra
Tue, Apr 14, 10:44 PM PDT
Route Timing
03h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM PDT

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

Leave by
10:12 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
Vacaville
CA

The most populous city in Solano County, California.

From San Jose
84.3 mi
01h 41m
To Alta Sierra
84.3 mi
01h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 3:00 PM PDT
Wind
9 mph WSW
Destination
41°F
Tuesday Night

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 11:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph ESE

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

    60 m · 9 sec · North Market Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Coleman Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Coleman Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I 880 North: Oakland

    1675 ft · 43 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    8.5 mi · 10 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway

    3139 ft · 41 sec · Nimitz Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Sacramento

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit straight toward I 680 North: Sacramento

    1012 ft · 25 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 680 North: Sacramento

    1618 ft · 41 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    37.3 mi · 43 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

    6 mi · 7 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

    74 m · 3 sec · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Benicia-Martinez Bridge

    2053 ft · 27 sec · Benicia-Martinez Bridge

  14. 14

    Continue on Luther E Gibson Freeway

    12 mi · 14 min · Luther E Gibson Freeway

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento

    2286 ft · 56 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    27.3 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    8.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Yolo Causeway

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on North Sacramento Beltline Freeway

    12.5 mi · 14 min · North Sacramento Beltline Freeway

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on North Sacramento Beltline Freeway

    1.3 km · 55 sec · North Sacramento Beltline Freeway

  22. 22

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    7 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway

    16.9 mi · 19 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 49 North: Grass Valley, Placerville

    943 ft · 31 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Grass Valley Highway

    5.8 mi · 9 min · Grass Valley Highway

  26. 26

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway

    36 m · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway

  27. 27

    Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Grass Valley Highway

  28. 28

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grass Valley Highway

    36 m · 3 sec · Grass Valley Highway

  29. 29

    Exit the roundabout onto Grass Valley Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Grass Valley Highway

  30. 30

    Continue on State Highway 49

    9.2 mi · 12 min · State Highway 49

  31. 31

    Turn right onto Alta Sierra Drive

    1.3 km · 1 min · Alta Sierra Drive

  32. 32

    Continue on Alta Sierra Drive

    3123 ft · 1 min · Alta Sierra Drive

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Francis Drive

    105 m · 16 sec · Francis Drive

  34. 34

    Turn right onto Upper Circle Drive

    767 ft · 34 sec · Upper Circle Drive

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Upper Circle Drive

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
35 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
3 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
44.4 mi · 26%
I 680 North
37.8 mi · 22%
Alan S. Hart Freeway
16.9 mi · 10%
North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
13.3 mi · 8%
Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi · 7%
State Highway 49
9.2 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

I 680 North

Merge slight left

37.3 mi · 00h 43m

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
03h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.9 mi
132.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vacaville
01h 41m from San Jose
Leave By
10:12 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving San Jose and Mostly Clear 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 168.5 miles (271.2 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?

Vacaville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.3 miles from San Jose and 84.3 miles from Alta Sierra.

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

The direct path is about 132.6 miles (213.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:12 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.33 one way or $68.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Vacaville

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Vacaville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Hall Park Off Leash Dog Park
Scenic stop 10.7 mi away

Hall Park Off Leash Dog Park

Dixon , CA
Dixon, CA 95620, United States
Rating 4.3/5 18 reviews City park
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 0.8 mi away

Vacaville Sewer Department

Vacaville , CA
650 Merchant St, Vacaville, CA 95688, United States
Rating 1.3/5 12 reviews City government office,Public works department
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 0.5 mi away

Vacaville

Vacaville
Vacaville, CA 95688, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City or town hall
Dixon City Hall
Scenic stop 10.9 mi away

Dixon City Hall

Dixon , CA
600 E A St, Dixon, CA 95620, United States
Rating 1.8/5 5 reviews City government office,Park

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Suisun–Fairfield station

13 mi away
177 Main Street
RAIL

Davis station

30 mi away
840 Second Street
BUS

Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California

32 mi away
Highway 37 and Fairgrounds Drive
BUS

Rio Vista, CA

34 mi away
28 South Front Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Alta Sierra. Straight-line distance: 132.62 mi (213.43 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Alta Sierra

Alta Sierra is a place in California, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.1415600, -121.0538400
Altitude704
CountryUnited States
Start: San Jose (-121.89496, 37.33939)
End: Alta Sierra (-121.05384, 39.14156)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 271 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.95 gal
22.51 L · about $34.33
Round trip
$68.65
11.9 gal · 45.02 L
Estimated CO2
52.9 kg one way
Round trip: 105.8 kg / 233 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $34.33 $68.65
Mid-grade $6.07 $36.09 $72.19
Premium $6.24 $37.15 $74.29
Diesel $7.57 $45.02 $90.05

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between San Jose and Alta Sierra. The current time is 19:21:05.

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.