How far is San Jose, CA from San Carlos, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to San Carlos, CA is about 25.2 miles (40.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Community in Contra Costa County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Jose and San Carlos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and San Carlos.
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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 · 18 sec · West Saint James Street
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5
Take the ramp right toward CA 87 North
1229 ft · 32 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Guadalupe Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Guadalupe Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
1032 ft · 25 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
1665 ft · 43 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Bayshore Freeway
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10
Keep slight left
12.8 mi · 15 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward Holly Street
782 ft · 19 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Holly Street
1085 ft · 26 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Holly Street
769 ft · 19 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Holly Street
2714 ft · 1 min · Holly Street
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15
Turn left onto El Camino Real
681 ft · 26 sec · El Camino Real
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16
Turn right onto San Carlos Avenue
19 m · 1 sec · San Carlos Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Carlos Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and San Carlos.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left
12.8 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Light Rain leaving San Jose and Chance Light Rain near San Carlos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to San Carlos?
The road trip is about 25.2 miles (40.6 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mountain View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.6 miles from San Jose and 12.6 miles from San Carlos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.13 one way or $10.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Jose and Chance Light Rain near San Carlos.
Stop Ideas Near Mountain View
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 Mountain View.
Santa Clara – Great America station
Santa Clara station
San Jose Diridon station
Fremont station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and San Carlos. Straight-line distance: 23.16 mi (37.28 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 San Carlos
City in San Mateo County, California, USA
| Population | 29,641 |
| Coordinates | 37.5071600, -122.2605200 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Carlos (-122.26052, 37.50716)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 41 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $5.13 | $10.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $5.40 | $10.80 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $5.56 | $11.11 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $6.73 | $13.47 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.