How far is San Jose, CA from Willits, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Willits, CA is about 181.8 miles (292.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.5 miles (263.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 42m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 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 Willits.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Willits.
-
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
116.3 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Redwood Highway
-
13
Take the exit slight right
1728 ft · 51 sec
-
14
Turn left onto Redwood Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Redwood Highway
-
15
Continue on South Main Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
-
16
Turn left onto West Valley Street
131 m · 21 sec · West Valley Street
-
17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Coast Street
50 m · 13 sec · Coast Street
-
18
Turn left onto Pine Street
45 m · 6 sec · Pine Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Willits.
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
116 mi · 02h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Light Rain leaving San Jose and Chance Light Rain near Willits.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Willits?
The road trip is about 181.8 miles (292.5 km) and usually takes 03h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cotati is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.9 miles from San Jose and 90.8 miles from Willits.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.5 miles (263.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:36 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.98 one way or $73.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around San Jose and Chance Light Rain near Willits.
Stop Ideas Near Cotati
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Rohnert Park Public Works
City of Santa Rosa
City of Santa Rosa - Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cotati.
Rohnert Park, California
Petaluma, California
Santa Rosa, California
Healdsburg (Singletree Inn), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Willits. Straight-line distance: 163.45 mi (263.05 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 Willits
City in California, USA
| Population | 4,831 |
| Coordinates | 39.4096100, -123.3555700 |
| Altitude | 424 |
| Country | United States |
End: Willits (-123.35557, 39.40961)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 293 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $36.98 | $73.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $38.88 | $77.77 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $40.02 | $80.04 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $48.50 | $97.01 |
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.