How far is San Jose, CA from Cottonwood, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Cottonwood, CA is about 107.1 miles (172.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91.2 miles (146.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 21m 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 02h 10m.
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.
Census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Jose and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Cottonwood.
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
13.1 mi · 15 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
803 ft · 20 sec
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on I 505 North: Winters, Redding
1 km · 1 min
-
20
Continue straight
16.6 mi · 18 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward CR 17
1380 ft · 42 sec
-
22
Turn left onto County Road 27
1 mi · 3 min · County Road 27
-
23
Turn right onto County Road 89
2.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 89
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 89
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Cottonwood.
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 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 Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 107.1 miles (172.3 km) and usually takes 02h 10m 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?
Pacheco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.6 miles from San Jose and 53.5 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91.2 miles (146.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.9 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 2:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.81 one way or $43.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Jose and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Pacheco
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Berkeley Community Media
El Cerrito City Hall
Old Maple Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pacheco.
Martinez station
Marine World (Seasonal), Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Antioch–Pittsburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 91.22 mi (146.8 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 Cottonwood
Ghost town in Yolo County, California
| Population | 3,850 |
| Coordinates | 38.6582400, -121.9710800 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-121.97108, 38.65824)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 172 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $21.81 | $43.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $22.93 | $45.86 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $23.60 | $47.20 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $28.60 | $57.21 |
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.