How far is San Jose, CA from La Quinta, CA?

The driving distance from San Jose, CA to La Quinta, CA is about 467.1 miles (751.8 km), with a travel time of about 08h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 403.8 miles (649.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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
467.15 mi
08h 52m
Flight
403.84 mi
649.92 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
403.84 mi
Kilometers
649.92 km
Flight Time
00h 48m

Driving Distance

Road route
467.15 mi
Kilometers
751.81 km
Drive Time
08h 52m

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 08h 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Quinta
Sun, Apr 19, 7:20 AM PDT
Return by in San Jose
Sun, Apr 19, 4:12 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Jose
2026-04-18T22:28
Arrive La Quinta
Sun, Apr 19, 7:20 AM PDT
Route Timing
08h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
2:52 PM to 4:22 PM PDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
6:16 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Jose
8:00 PM PDT
Overnight-style route

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
Greenfield
CA

City in Monterey County, California, United States

From San Jose
233.5 mi
04h 26m
To La Quinta
233.6 mi
04h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph W
Destination
83°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Jose and La Quinta.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and La Quinta.

  1. 1

    Start on North Market Street

    33 m · 6 sec · North Market Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Devine Street

    84 m · 18 sec · Devine Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North San Pedro Street

    93 m · 18 sec · North San Pedro Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Saint James Street

    602 ft · 16 sec · West Saint James Street

  5. 5

    Continue on West Julian Street

    109 m · 7 sec · West Julian Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward CA 87 South

    1213 ft · 32 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Guadalupe Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Guadalupe Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Guadalupe Parkway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Guadalupe Parkway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Santa Teresa Boulevard

    2182 ft · 31 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Santa Teresa Boulevard

    673 ft · 23 sec · Santa Teresa Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn left onto CA 85 South

    1533 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  13. 13

    Continue on US 101 South

    1922 ft · 27 sec

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    20.3 mi · 23 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 152 East: 10th Street, Pacheco Pass Road

    1539 ft · 40 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East 10th Street

    108 m · 13 sec · East 10th Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway

    40.6 mi · 50 min · Pacheco Pass Highway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Los Angeles

    3148 ft · 1 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway

    181.1 mi · 3 hr 14 min · Westside Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right

    58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    2 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: Pasadena

    1347 ft · 18 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on Foothill Freeway

    24.4 mi · 28 min · Foothill Freeway

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    19.1 mi · 22 min · Foothill Freeway

  25. 25

    Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway

    2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana

    1.4 km · 2 min

  27. 27

    Continue on Orange Freeway

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: San Bernardino, Los Angeles

    928 ft · 23 sec

  29. 29

    Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernardino

    1.1 km · 1 min

  30. 30

    Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway

  31. 31

    Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway

    4 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway

  32. 32

    Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes

    9 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes

  33. 33

    Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway

    14.3 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway

  34. 34

    Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

    40.3 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

  35. 35

    Keep slight left to continue on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

    25.2 mi · 27 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

  36. 36

    Take the exit slight right toward Washington Street

    1255 ft · 35 sec

  37. 37

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    4.7 mi · 8 min · Washington Street

  38. 38

    Turn right onto Eisenhower Drive

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Eisenhower Drive

  39. 39

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Eisenhower Drive

    24 m · 2 sec · Eisenhower Drive

  40. 40

    Exit the roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive

    570 ft · 16 sec · Eisenhower Drive

  41. 41

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eisenhower Drive

    30 m · 3 sec · Eisenhower Drive

  42. 42

    Exit the roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive

    1250 ft · 32 sec · Eisenhower Drive

  43. 43

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eisenhower Drive

    30 m · 3 sec · Eisenhower Drive

  44. 44

    Exit the roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive

    3274 ft · 1 min · Eisenhower Drive

  45. 45

    Turn right onto Calle Chihuahua

    584 ft · 26 sec · Calle Chihuahua

  46. 46

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Calle Chihuahua

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and La Quinta.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
46 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
19
5 merges, 14 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Westside Freeway
239 mi · 51%
Foothill Freeway
44 mi · 9%
Pacheco Pass Highway
40.6 mi · 9%
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
40.3 mi · 9%
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
25.2 mi · 5%
US 101 South
20.6 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Westside Freeway

Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway

181 mi · 03h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
08h 52m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
17h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+63.3 mi
403.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Greenfield
04h 26m from San Jose
Leave By
6:16 PM PDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving San Jose and Sunny near La Quinta.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Jose to La Quinta?

The road trip is about 467.1 miles (751.8 km) and usually takes 08h 52m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Greenfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 233.5 miles from San Jose and 233.6 miles from La Quinta.

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

The direct path is about 403.8 miles (649.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.3 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 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $95.07 one way or $190.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 146.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Jose and Sunny near La Quinta.

Stop Ideas Near Greenfield

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Greenfield, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Bakersfield

12 mi away
601 Truxtun Ave
RAIL

Wasco station

47 mi away
700 G Street
BUS

Tehachapi, California

52 mi away
Westside of Mullbery Street
BUS

Mojave, California

79 mi away
15900 Sierra Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and La Quinta. Straight-line distance: 403.84 mi (649.92 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
La Quinta

#2 La Quinta

Town in Riverside County, California, United States

Population23,694
Coordinates33.6633600, -116.3100100
Altitude41
CountryUnited States
Start: San Jose (-121.89496, 37.33939)
End: La Quinta (-116.31001, 33.66336)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 752 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)15h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)11h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)09h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)07h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)06h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)05h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
16.48 gal
62.4 L · about $95.07
Round trip
$190.15
32.96 gal · 124.8 L
Estimated CO2
146.5 kg one way
Round trip: 292.9 kg / 646 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $95.07 $190.15
Mid-grade $6.07 $99.97 $199.94
Premium $6.24 $102.88 $205.77
Diesel $7.57 $124.70 $249.41

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

There is no time difference between San Jose and La Quinta. The current time is 22:28:47.

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.