How far is San Jose, CA from Chinatown, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Chinatown, CA is about 49.2 miles (79.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 05m 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 01h 02m.
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 Jose and Chinatown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Chinatown.
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1
Start on North Market Street
33 m · 6 sec · North Market Street
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2
Turn right onto Devine Street
84 m · 18 sec · Devine Street
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3
Turn left onto North San Pedro Street
93 m · 18 sec · North San Pedro Street
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4
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
602 ft · 18 sec · West Saint James Street
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5
Take the ramp right toward CA 87 North
1229 ft · 32 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Guadalupe Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Guadalupe Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
1032 ft · 25 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
1665 ft · 43 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Bayshore Freeway
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10
Keep slight left
32 mi · 37 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 South, I 280 North: Daly City, Downtown San Francisco
2373 ft · 37 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 280 North: Downtown San Francisco
2919 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Southern Embarcadero Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Southern Embarcadero Freeway
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14
Continue on King Street
1814 ft · 1 min · King Street
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15
Turn left onto 3rd Street
1.5 km · 2 min · 3rd Street
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16
Continue on Kearny Street
796 ft · 45 sec · Kearny Street
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17
Turn left onto Sutter Street
772 ft · 35 sec · Sutter Street
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18
Turn slight right
57 m · 10 sec
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19
Turn slight right onto Stockton Street
2581 ft · 2 min · Stockton Street
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20
Turn left onto Pacific Avenue
14 m · 2 sec · Pacific Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pacific Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Chinatown.
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
32 mi · 00h 37m
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 Jose and Sunny near Chinatown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Chinatown?
The road trip is about 49.2 miles (79.2 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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 24.6 miles from San Jose and 24.6 miles from Chinatown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:24 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.89 one way or $21.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Jose and Sunny near Chinatown.
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 Jose and Chinatown. Straight-line distance: 42.3 mi (68.07 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 Chinatown
Situated on the hilly terrain of downtown San Francisco at an average elevation of 95 feet, this densely populated neighborhood serves as a significant historical and cultural center for the Chinese diaspora in North America.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.7966000, -122.4085800 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chinatown (-122.40858, 37.7966)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 79 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $10.89 | $21.79 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $11.31 | $22.62 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $11.64 | $23.28 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $14.64 | $29.28 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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