How far is San Jose, CA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Modesto, CA is about 83 miles (133.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53.4 miles (86 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m 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 41m.
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.
Chance Light Rain
Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Jose and Modesto.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Modesto.
-
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
-
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
8.5 mi · 10 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road
5.5 mi · 8 min
-
11
Merge slight right onto Isabel Avenue
4.3 mi · 7 min · Isabel Avenue
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 580 East: Stockton
2679 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
3.9 mi · 4 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
10.7 mi · 12 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
-
16
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Westside Freeway
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 120 East: Manteca, Sonora
143 m · 6 sec
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18
Continue straight
6.2 mi · 7 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 99 South: Modesto, Fresno
1.1 km · 2 min
-
20
Merge slight left
13.9 mi · 16 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward 6th Street, G Street
1356 ft · 33 sec
-
22
Turn straight onto 5th Street
1201 ft · 35 sec · 5th Street
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23
Turn left onto G Street
2267 ft · 1 min · G Street
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24
Turn left onto 11th Street
122 m · 18 sec · 11th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Modesto.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
CA 99 South
Merge slight left
13.9 mi · 00h 16m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving San Jose and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Modesto.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Modesto?
The road trip is about 83 miles (133.6 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
Livermore is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.1 miles from San Jose and 41.9 miles from Modesto.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53.4 miles (86 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.6 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 3:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.90 one way or $33.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Jose and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Modesto.
Stop Ideas Near Livermore
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 Livermore.
Livermore, California
Livermore, CA
Pleasanton, CA
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Modesto. Straight-line distance: 53.41 mi (85.96 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 Modesto
The third most populous city in Stanislaus County, California.
| Population | 215,666 |
| Coordinates | 37.6391000, -120.9968800 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| Country | United States |
End: 11th Street (-120.996829, 37.639137)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 134 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $16.90 | $33.81 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $17.77 | $35.55 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $18.29 | $36.58 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $22.17 | $44.34 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.