How far is South Dos Palos, CA from San Jose, CA?

The driving distance from South Dos Palos, CA to San Jose, CA is about 97.1 miles (156.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 73.1 miles (117.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
97.08 mi
01h 49m
Flight
73.12 mi
117.68 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Dos Palos.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
73.12 mi
Kilometers
117.68 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.08 mi
Kilometers
156.23 km
Drive Time
01h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Jose
Sun, May 31, 7:21 AM PDT
Return by in South Dos Palos
Sun, May 31, 9:10 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Dos Palos
2026-05-31T05:31
Arrive San Jose
Sun, May 31, 7:21 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:52 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Dos Palos
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Hollister
CA

A city in San Benito County, California.

From South Dos Palos
49.2 mi
00h 54m
To San Jose
47.9 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
84°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Dos Palos and San Jose.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Dos Palos and San Jose.

  1. 1

    Start on Santa Fe Grade

    33 m · 10 sec · Santa Fe Grade

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 6th Street

    1458 ft · 1 min · 6th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Shain Avenue

    1.3 km · 3 min · Shain Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Elgin Avenue

    5.8 mi · 8 min · North Elgin Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    18.5 mi · 26 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    28.7 mi · 33 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    11.9 mi · 17 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: San Jose

    2466 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto South Valley Freeway

    19.9 mi · 23 min · South Valley Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 North: Cupertino, Mountain View

    5.2 mi · 6 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 North: Downtown San Jose

    1 km · 51 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Guadalupe Parkway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Guadalupe Parkway

  13. 13

    Continue on Guadalupe Freeway

    2235 ft · 29 sec · Guadalupe Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 82

    1010 ft · 19 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North: Santa Clara Street, Julian Street

    2389 ft · 52 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North

    1469 ft · 36 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on Julian Street

    982 ft · 26 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Saint James Street

    867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Market Street

    127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Dos Palos and San Jose.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
20 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Elgin Avenue
65 mi · 67%
South Valley Freeway
19.9 mi · 21%
CA 85 North
5.18 mi · 5%
Guadalupe Parkway
4.34 mi · 4%
CA 87 North
1.36 mi · 1%
Shain Avenue
0.8 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

North Elgin Avenue

Continue straight

28.7 mi · 00h 33m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24 mi
73.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hollister
00h 54m from South Dos Palos
Leave By
2:52 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving South Dos Palos 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 South Dos Palos to San Jose?

The road trip is about 97.1 miles (156.2 km) and usually takes 01h 49m 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?

Hollister is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.2 miles from South Dos Palos and 47.9 miles from San Jose.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 73.1 miles (117.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 2:52 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.79 one way or $39.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Dos Palos and Sunny near San Jose.

Stop Ideas Near Hollister

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Hollister and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Restaurant
Food stop 13 mi away

Old City Hall Restaurant

Gilroy , CA
7400 Monterey Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
Rating 4.3/5 710 reviews Fine dining restaurant,New American restaurant,Restaurant
City of Gilroy Recreation Division
Scenic stop 13.3 mi away

City of Gilroy Recreation Division

Gilroy , CA
7351 Rosanna St, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Park,Recreation
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13.2 mi away

Gilroy Community Development

Gilroy , CA
7351 Rosanna St, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
Rating 4.0/5 5 reviews City government office,Urban planning department
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.3 mi away

City of Gilroy - Planning Division

Gilroy , CA
7351 Rosanna St, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hollister.

BUS

Gilroy, California

23 mi away
7250 Monterey Street
BUS

Prunedale, California

25 mi away
Highway 156 and Highway 101
RAIL

Salinas station

30 mi away
Station Place and Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Morgan Hill, California

38 mi away
17300 Depot Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Dos Palos and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 73.12 mi (117.68 km).

South Dos Palos

#1 South Dos Palos

Census-designated place in Merced County, California

Population1,620
Coordinates36.9643900, -120.6532400
Altitude36
CountryUnited States
San Jose

#2 San Jose

The tenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Jose metropolitan area.

Population1,013,616
Coordinates37.3393900, -121.8949600
Altitude26
CountryUnited States
Start: Santa Fe Grade (-120.653294, 36.964322)
End: North Market Street (-121.894962, 37.339389)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 156 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.43 gal
12.97 L · about $19.79
Round trip
$39.58
6.86 gal · 25.94 L
Estimated CO2
30.5 kg one way
Round trip: 61 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $19.79 $39.58
Mid-grade $6.07 $20.81 $41.61
Premium $6.24 $21.41 $42.83
Diesel $7.57 $25.95 $51.91

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 · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between South Dos Palos and San Jose. The current time is 05:31:49.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.