How far is San Rafael, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from San Rafael, CA to San Jose, CA is about 63.6 miles (102.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.9 miles (90 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 34m 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 17m.
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
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Rafael and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Rafael and San Jose.
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1
Start on Fourth Street
2667 ft · 1 min · Fourth Street
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2
Turn right onto Hetherton Street
652 ft · 17 sec · Hetherton Street
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3
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 South: San Francisco, Oakland
1389 ft · 36 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
1805 ft · 28 sec · Redwood Highway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
13.6 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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6
Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Eastshore Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
14.3 mi · 18 min · Nimitz Freeway
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9
Keep slight left
5.6 mi · 6 min
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10
Keep slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight left
19.4 mi · 22 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, North First Street
991 ft · 26 sec
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13
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
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14
Turn right onto West Julian Street
151 m · 18 sec · West Julian Street
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15
Turn left onto North Market Street
60 m · 7 sec · North Market Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Rafael and San Jose.
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
19.4 mi · 00h 22m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Rafael and Sunny near San Jose.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Rafael to San Jose?
The road trip is about 63.6 miles (102.4 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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 31.3 miles from San Rafael and 32.4 miles from San Jose.
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 7.7 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 3:56 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.98 one way or $25.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Rafael and Sunny near San Jose.
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 Rafael and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 55.95 mi (90.04 km).
#1 San Rafael
The most populous city in Marin County, California.
| Population | 58,528 |
| Coordinates | 37.9735300, -122.5310900 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: North Market Street (-121.89496, 37.33939)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 102 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 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 | $12.98 | $25.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $13.65 | $27.30 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $14.05 | $28.09 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $17.03 | $34.05 |
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.