How far is San Jose, CA from Chico, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Chico, CA is about 192.5 miles (309.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 165.1 miles (265.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Place in Solano county, California, USA
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 Jose and Chico.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Chico.
-
1
Start on North Market Street
60 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
-
2
Continue on Coleman Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Coleman Avenue
-
3
Take the ramp right toward I 880 North: Oakland
1675 ft · 43 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
3139 ft · 41 sec · Nimitz Freeway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward Sacramento
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
7
Take the exit straight toward I 680 North: Sacramento
1012 ft · 25 sec
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 North: Sacramento
1618 ft · 41 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
37.3 mi · 43 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
6 mi · 7 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
74 m · 3 sec · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Benicia-Martinez Bridge
2053 ft · 27 sec · Benicia-Martinez Bridge
-
14
Continue on Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Luther E Gibson Freeway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
2286 ft · 56 sec
-
16
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on Vic Fazio Highway
11.1 mi · 13 min · Vic Fazio Highway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Main Street
2452 ft · 1 min
-
20
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
-
21
Turn left onto County Road 102
69 m · 10 sec · County Road 102
-
22
Continue on County Road 102
7.9 mi · 11 min · County Road 102
-
23
Continue straight
17.4 mi · 23 min
-
24
Take the ramp right toward CA 99 North: Yuba City
990 ft · 27 sec
-
25
Merge slight left
51.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward Skyway
1395 ft · 26 sec
-
27
Turn left onto Skyway Road
1849 ft · 41 sec · Skyway Road
-
28
Continue on East Park Avenue
2365 ft · 49 sec · East Park Avenue
-
29
Turn slight right
46 m · 7 sec
-
30
Turn straight onto Park Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Park Avenue
-
31
Continue on Main Street
1687 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
32
Turn right onto East 5th Street
50 m · 7 sec · East 5th Street
-
33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Chico.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
CA 99 North
Merge slight left
51.6 mi · 01h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving San Jose and Chance Light Rain near Chico.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Chico?
The road trip is about 192.5 miles (309.8 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?
Dixon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.3 miles from San Jose and 96.2 miles from Chico.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 165.1 miles (265.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 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 8:58 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.17 one way or $78.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Jose and Chance Light Rain near Chico.
Stop Ideas Near Dixon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Hall Park Off Leash Dog Park
City of Davis Gymnastics
Davis Police Department
Dixon City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dixon.
Davis station
Suisun–Fairfield station
Elk Grove, California
Sacramento (State Capitol), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Chico. Straight-line distance: 165.1 mi (265.7 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Chico
The most populous city in Butte County, California.
| Population | 102,867 |
| Coordinates | 39.7284900, -121.8374800 |
| Altitude | 60 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chico (-121.83748, 39.72849)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 310 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $39.17 | $78.34 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $41.19 | $82.38 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $42.39 | $84.78 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $51.38 | $102.76 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.