How far is San Jose, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Santa Rosa, CA is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.2 miles (142 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 02m 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 02h 01m.
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.
City in Contra Costa County, California, United States
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 Santa Rosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Santa Rosa.
-
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
37 mi · 43 min · Redwood Highway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Third Street, Downtown
1256 ft · 31 sec
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on Third Street, Downtown
775 ft · 25 sec
-
15
Turn right onto 3rd Street
915 ft · 33 sec · 3rd Street
-
16
Turn left onto B Street
100 m · 18 sec · B Street
-
17
Turn right onto 4th Street
136 m · 12 sec · 4th Street
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Santa Rosa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Redwood Highway
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
37 mi · 00h 43m
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 Santa Rosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Santa Rosa?
The road trip is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?
El Cerrito is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.8 miles from San Jose and 49.8 miles from Santa Rosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.2 miles (142 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.3 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 2:28 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.25 one way or $40.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Jose and Mostly Sunny near Santa Rosa.
Stop Ideas Near El Cerrito
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
Alameda Public Works Department
Old Berkeley City Hall
My City Hall Wedding
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to El Cerrito.
Richmond station
Berkeley station
Emeryville station
Oakland – Jack London Square station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Santa Rosa. Straight-line distance: 88.23 mi (141.99 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 Santa Rosa
The fifth most populous city in California.
| Population | 174,613 |
| Coordinates | 38.4404700, -122.7144300 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Rosa (-122.71443, 38.44047)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 160 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $20.25 | $40.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $21.29 | $42.58 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $21.91 | $43.83 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $26.56 | $53.12 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.