How far is San Jose, CA from South San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to South San Francisco, CA is about 38.2 miles (61.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m 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 00h 46m.
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.
Census designated place
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 South San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and South San Francisco.
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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
26 mi · 30 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward South Airport Boulevard
1218 ft · 32 sec
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12
Turn left onto South Airport Boulevard
1061 ft · 28 sec · South Airport Boulevard
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13
Turn left onto South Airport Boulevard
868 ft · 24 sec · South Airport Boulevard
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14
Continue on Airport Boulevard
1910 ft · 44 sec · Airport Boulevard
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Airport Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and South San Francisco.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left
26 mi · 00h 30m
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 South San Francisco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to South San Francisco?
The road trip is about 38.2 miles (61.5 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
North Fair Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.1 miles from San Jose and 19.1 miles from South San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.7 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 4:56 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.79 one way or $15.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Jose and Mostly Sunny near South San Francisco.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and South San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 35.56 mi (57.23 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 South San Francisco
The most populous city in San Mateo County, California.
| Population | 66,558 |
| Coordinates | 37.6546600, -122.4077500 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: South San Francisco (-122.40775, 37.65466)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.79 | $15.58 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.19 | $16.38 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.43 | $16.86 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.22 | $20.43 |
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.