How far is San Jose, CA from Lafayette, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Lafayette, CA is about 49.5 miles (79.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.7 miles (63.9 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.
A city in Alameda County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Jose and Lafayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Lafayette.
-
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
32.4 mi · 37 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette
79 m · 6 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on CA 24 West: Oakland, Lafayette
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
12
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Central Lafayette, Moraga, Rheem Saint Marys College
1859 ft · 49 sec
-
14
Turn right onto Deer Hill Road
124 m · 13 sec · Deer Hill Road
-
15
Turn right onto 1st Street
1158 ft · 45 sec · 1st Street
-
16
Turn right onto Mount Diablo Boulevard
681 ft · 21 sec · Mount Diablo Boulevard
-
17
Turn left onto Moraga Road
2306 ft · 58 sec · Moraga Road
-
18
Turn left onto Saint Mary's Road
13 m · 1 sec · Saint Mary's Road
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Saint Mary's Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Lafayette.
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
32.4 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Jose and Sunny near Lafayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Lafayette?
The road trip is about 49.5 miles (79.7 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?
Pleasanton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.8 miles from San Jose and 24.7 miles from Lafayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.7 miles (63.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 $10.10 one way or $20.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Jose and Sunny near Lafayette.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasanton
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 Pleasanton.
Pleasanton, CA
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Livermore, California
Livermore, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 39.67 mi (63.85 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 Lafayette
City in California
| Population | 25,992 |
| Coordinates | 37.8857600, -122.1180200 |
| Altitude | 94 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lafayette (-122.11802, 37.88576)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 80 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 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 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $10.10 | $20.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.62 | $21.23 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.93 | $21.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $13.24 | $26.48 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.