How far is San Jose, CA from San Rafael, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to San Rafael, CA is about 63.2 miles (101.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.9 miles (90 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 38m 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 19m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Jose and San Rafael.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and San Rafael.
-
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
12.6 mi · 15 min · Nimitz Freeway
-
6
Keep slight left
17.8 mi · 21 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on Nimitz Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Nimitz Freeway
-
8
Continue on Nimitz Freeway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Nimitz Freeway
-
9
Continue on Eastshore Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Eastshore Freeway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
12.9 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: San Rafeal
1.1 km · 54 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
2148 ft · 33 sec · Redwood Highway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Central San Rafael
1526 ft · 39 sec
-
14
Continue on Irwin Street
654 ft · 21 sec · Irwin Street
-
15
Turn left onto Fourth Street
3034 ft · 1 min · Fourth Street
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fourth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and San Rafael.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Nimitz Freeway
Keep slight left
17.8 mi · 00h 21m
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.
Sunny leaving San Jose and Mostly Sunny near San Rafael.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to San Rafael?
The road trip is about 63.2 miles (101.7 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?
San Leandro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.6 miles from San Jose and 31.6 miles from San Rafael.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 55.9 miles (90 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.3 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 3:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.86 one way or $25.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Jose and Mostly Sunny near San Rafael.
Stop Ideas Near San Leandro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Events Office
San Leandro City Council
Foster City - City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Leandro.
Oakland Coliseum station
Hayward station
Oakland – Jack London Square station
Emeryville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and San Rafael. Straight-line distance: 55.95 mi (90.04 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 Rafael
The most populous city in Marin County, California.
| Population | 58,528 |
| Coordinates | 37.9735300, -122.5310900 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Rafael (-122.53109, 37.97353)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 102 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $12.86 | $25.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $13.53 | $27.05 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $13.92 | $27.84 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $16.87 | $33.75 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.