How far is San Jose, CA from Los Alamos, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Los Alamos, CA is about 234.2 miles (376.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 200.8 miles (323.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 05m 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 04h 32m.
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.
City in California, named after its founder, Charles King
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 Los Alamos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Los Alamos.
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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 · 16 sec · West Saint James Street
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5
Continue on West Julian Street
109 m · 7 sec · West Julian Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 87 South
1213 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Guadalupe Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Guadalupe Freeway
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8
Continue on Guadalupe Parkway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Guadalupe Parkway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Santa Teresa Boulevard
2182 ft · 31 sec
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10
Continue on Santa Teresa Boulevard
673 ft · 23 sec · Santa Teresa Boulevard
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11
Turn left onto CA 85 South
1533 ft · 41 sec
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12
Merge slight left
4.7 mi · 5 min
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13
Continue on US 101 South
1922 ft · 27 sec
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14
Continue straight
36.6 mi · 42 min
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15
Take the exit slight right
1.2 km · 50 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
135.9 mi · 2 hr 37 min · El Camino Real
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17
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
11.8 mi · 14 min · Cabrillo Highway
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18
Continue on El Camino Real
35.6 mi · 41 min · El Camino Real
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19
Turn right onto Cat Canyon Road
635 ft · 15 sec · Cat Canyon Road
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20
Turn left onto Bell Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Bell Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Bell Street
2887 ft · 54 sec · Bell Street
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22
Turn left onto Helena Street
115 m · 21 sec · Helena Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leslie Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Los Alamos.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
El Camino Real
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
136 mi · 02h 37m
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.
Sunny leaving San Jose and Sunny near Los Alamos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Los Alamos?
The road trip is about 234.2 miles (376.9 km) and usually takes 04h 32m 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?
King City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.1 miles from San Jose and 117.1 miles from Los Alamos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 200.8 miles (323.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.4 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 7:54 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.72 one way or $103.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Jose and Sunny near Los Alamos.
Stop Ideas Near King City
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 King City.
King City, California
Salinas station
Paso Robles station
Carmel, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Los Alamos. Straight-line distance: 200.75 mi (323.08 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 Los Alamos
Situated in Santa Barbara County's Santa Ynez Valley at an elevation of 571 feet, this census-designated place lies within a region dominated by agriculture and viticulture.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.7444300, -120.2782100 |
| Altitude | 174 |
| Country | United States |
End: Los Alamos (-120.27821, 34.74443)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 377 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $51.72 | $103.43 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $53.68 | $107.36 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $55.25 | $110.50 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $69.49 | $138.98 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026