How far is San Jose, CA from Colfax, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Colfax, CA is about 165.7 miles (266.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132 miles (212.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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 03h 15m.
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.
The most populous city in Solano County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Jose and Colfax.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Colfax.
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1
Start on North Market Street
60 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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2
Continue on Coleman Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Coleman Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 880 North: Oakland
1675 ft · 43 sec
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4
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
3139 ft · 41 sec · Nimitz Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Sacramento
1.6 mi · 2 min
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7
Take the exit straight toward I 680 North: Sacramento
1012 ft · 25 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 North: Sacramento
1618 ft · 41 sec
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9
Merge slight left
37.3 mi · 43 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
6 mi · 7 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
74 m · 3 sec · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Benicia-Martinez Bridge
2053 ft · 27 sec · Benicia-Martinez Bridge
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14
Continue on Luther E Gibson Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Luther E Gibson Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, CA 12 East: Fairfield, Sacramento
2286 ft · 56 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 31 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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19
Continue on Yolo Causeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Yolo Causeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
12.5 mi · 14 min · North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
1.3 km · 55 sec · North Sacramento Beltline Freeway
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22
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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23
Continue on Alan S. Hart Freeway
32.6 mi · 38 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward CA 174 West: Colfax, Grass Valley
122 m · 10 sec
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25
Turn right onto Canyon Way
129 m · 10 sec · Canyon Way
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26
Turn right onto Colfax Overcrossing
599 ft · 15 sec · Colfax Overcrossing
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27
Turn right onto Colfax Highway
93 m · 8 sec · Colfax Highway
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28
Continue on South Auburn Avenue
1225 ft · 34 sec · South Auburn Avenue
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29
Turn left onto Grassvalley Street
152 m · 18 sec · Grassvalley Street
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30
Turn right onto South Main Street
40 m · 6 sec · South Main Street
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31
Turn right
10 m · 3 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Colfax.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving San Jose and Partly Sunny near Colfax.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Colfax?
The road trip is about 165.7 miles (266.6 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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 82.8 miles from San Jose and 82.8 miles from Colfax.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132 miles (212.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.7 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 10:30 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.75 one way or $67.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around San Jose and Partly Sunny near Colfax.
Stop Ideas Near Vacaville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Hall Park Off Leash Dog Park
Vacaville Sewer Department
Vacaville
Dixon City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Vacaville.
Suisun–Fairfield station
Davis station
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Rio Vista, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Colfax. Straight-line distance: 131.99 mi (212.42 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 Colfax
City in California, USA
| Population | 2,009 |
| Coordinates | 39.1007300, -120.9532800 |
| Altitude | 739 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colfax (-120.95328, 39.10073)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 267 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $33.75 | $67.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $35.49 | $70.97 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $36.52 | $73.04 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $44.27 | $88.53 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.