How far is Santa Rosa, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Rosa, CA to San Jose, CA is about 100.1 miles (161.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.2 miles (142 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 31m 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 45m.
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 Santa Rosa and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Rosa and San Jose.
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1
Start on 4th Street
136 m · 19 sec · 4th Street
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2
Turn left onto B Street
100 m · 19 sec · B Street
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3
Turn right onto 3rd Street
1267 ft · 41 sec · 3rd Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward CA 12, US 101 South
1050 ft · 28 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 South: San Francisco
748 ft · 18 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
36.9 mi · 43 min · Redwood Highway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on John T. Knox Freeway
13.6 mi · 17 min · John T. Knox Freeway
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8
Merge slight left onto Eastshore Freeway
3.8 mi · 5 min · Eastshore Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate Highway 80
1321 ft · 21 sec · Interstate Highway 80
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
14.3 mi · 18 min · Nimitz Freeway
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11
Keep slight left
5.6 mi · 6 min
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12
Keep slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left
19.4 mi · 22 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, North First Street
991 ft · 26 sec
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15
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
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16
Turn right onto West Julian Street
151 m · 18 sec · West Julian Street
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17
Turn left onto North Market Street
60 m · 7 sec · North Market Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Rosa 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.
Redwood Highway
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
36.9 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa to San Jose?
The road trip is about 100.1 miles (161.1 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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 49.5 miles from Santa Rosa and 50.6 miles from San Jose.
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 11.9 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 2:58 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.36 one way or $40.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Rosa and Sunny near San Jose.
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 Santa Rosa and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 88.23 mi (141.99 km).
#1 Santa Rosa
The fifth most populous city in California.
| Population | 174,613 |
| Coordinates | 38.4404700, -122.7144300 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| 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: 161 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 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 | $20.36 | $40.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $21.41 | $42.83 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $22.04 | $44.08 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $26.71 | $53.42 |
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.