How far is San Jose, CA from Madera, CA?

The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Madera, CA is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
128.38 mi
02h 37m
Flight
104.33 mi
167.91 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Jose.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
104.33 mi
Kilometers
167.91 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.38 mi
Kilometers
206.6 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madera
Thu, Apr 16, 9:46 AM PDT
Return by in San Jose
Thu, Apr 16, 12:24 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Jose
2026-04-16T07:08
Arrive Madera
Thu, Apr 16, 9:46 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:14 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Jose
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Gustine
CA

City in Merced County, California, United States of America

From San Jose
64.1 mi
01h 18m
To Madera
64.2 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph NNW
Destination
70°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Madera.

  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

    82.6 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Pacheco Pass Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on Eastbound California State Route 152

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Eastbound California State Route 152

  19. 19

    Continue on EB SR 152 to SB SR 99

    1787 ft · 24 sec · EB SR 152 to SB SR 99

  20. 20

    Continue on Southbound California State Route 99

    11 mi · 13 min · Southbound California State Route 99

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Fourth Street

    723 ft · 19 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto North I Street

    864 ft · 25 sec · North I Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto West 4th Street

    1155 ft · 31 sec · West 4th Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto North Gateway Drive

    801 ft · 16 sec · North Gateway Drive

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Gateway Drive

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pacheco Pass Highway
82.6 mi · 64%
US 101 South
20.6 mi · 16%
Southbound California State Route 99
11 mi · 9%
CA 85 South
4.99 mi · 4%
Guadalupe Parkway
4.09 mi · 3%
Guadalupe Freeway
1.45 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Pacheco Pass Highway

Continue on Pacheco Pass Highway

82.6 mi · 01h 42m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.1 mi
104.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gustine
01h 18m from San Jose
Leave By
1:14 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving San Jose and Sunny near Madera.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Madera?

The road trip is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?

Gustine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from San Jose and 64.2 miles from Madera.

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

The direct path is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 1:14 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.13 one way or $52.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Gustine

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Gustine, 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 Gustine.

RAIL

Denair station

35 mi away
3800 Santa Fe Avenue
RAIL

Modesto station

46 mi away
1700 Held Drive
RAIL

Merced station

47 mi away
324 West 24th St
BUS

Gilroy, California

58 mi away
7250 Monterey Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Madera. Straight-line distance: 104.33 mi (167.91 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
Madera

#2 Madera

The most populous city in Madera County, California.

Population66,723
Coordinates36.9613400, -120.0607200
Altitude83
CountryUnited States
Start: San Jose (-121.89496, 37.33939)
End: Madera (-120.06072, 36.96134)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 207 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.53 gal
17.15 L · about $26.13
Round trip
$52.27
9.06 gal · 34.3 L
Estimated CO2
40.3 kg one way
Round trip: 80.5 kg / 177 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $26.13 $52.27
Mid-grade $6.07 $27.48 $54.96
Premium $6.24 $28.28 $56.56
Diesel $7.57 $34.28 $68.56

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between San Jose and Madera. The current time is 07:08:22.

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.