How far is Thornton, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Thornton, CA to San Jose, CA is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 66.4 miles (106.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PST.
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 43m.
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.
The most populous city in San Joaquin County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and San Jose.
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1
Start on Thornton Road
1035 ft · 21 sec · Thornton Road
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2
Turn straight onto West Walnut Grove Road
1055 ft · 28 sec · West Walnut Grove Road
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3
Take the ramp sharp left
1704 ft · 42 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
34.4 mi · 38 min · Westside Freeway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Robert T. Monagan Freeway
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6
Continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
1611 ft · 41 sec
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8
Turn left onto Isabel Avenue
4.7 mi · 7 min · Isabel Avenue
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9
Continue on Vallecitos Road
5.2 mi · 7 min · Vallecitos Road
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
2276 ft · 56 sec
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11
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 262
866 ft · 21 sec
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
1597 ft · 39 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Mission Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mission Boulevard
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15
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Nimitz Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, North First Street
991 ft · 26 sec
-
17
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
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18
Turn right onto West Julian Street
151 m · 18 sec · West Julian Street
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19
Turn left onto North Market Street
60 m · 7 sec · North Market Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton 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.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
34.4 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Thornton and Mostly Sunny near San Jose.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to San Jose?
The road trip is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km) and usually takes 01h 43m 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?
Tracy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.5 miles from Thornton and 50.9 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 66.4 miles (106.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 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 PST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:04 PM PST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.09 one way or $40.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Thornton and Mostly Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Tracy
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tracy.
Tracy, California
Tracy, CA
Manteca, CA
Stockton – San Joaquin Street
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 66.42 mi (106.9 km).
#1 Thornton
Situated at an elevation of 13 feet in San Joaquin County, this census-designated place lies within the low-lying Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.2260300, -121.4246700 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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 (-121.894962, 37.339389)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.84 | $20.09 | $40.18 |
| Mid-grade | $6.09 | $20.94 | $41.87 |
| Premium | $6.28 | $21.59 | $43.18 |
| Diesel | $8.28 | $28.49 | $56.97 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026