How far is Ukiah, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Ukiah, CA to San Jose, CA is about 160.4 miles (258.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144 miles (231.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m 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 02h 41m.
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 Sonoma County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Isolated Rain Showers
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ukiah and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ukiah and San Jose.
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1
Start on North State Street
17 m · 9 sec · North State Street
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2
Turn left onto East Perkins Street
2770 ft · 1 min · East Perkins Street
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3
Take the ramp left
884 ft · 22 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway
97.2 mi · 1 hr 55 min · 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 Ukiah 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
97.2 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Isolated Rain Showers leaving Ukiah and Chance Light Rain near San Jose.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ukiah to San Jose?
The road trip is about 160.4 miles (258.1 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?
Petaluma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.6 miles from Ukiah and 80.8 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144 miles (231.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 1:06 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.65 one way or $65.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Isolated Rain Showers around Ukiah and Chance Light Rain near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Petaluma
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Rohnert Park Public Works
Sonoma City Hall
Petaluma City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Petaluma.
Petaluma, California
Rohnert Park, California
Santa Rosa, California
Vallejo, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ukiah and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 143.97 mi (231.69 km).
#1 Ukiah
City in Mendocino County, California
| Population | 15,883 |
| Coordinates | 39.1501700, -123.2077800 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| 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: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $32.65 | $65.31 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $34.33 | $68.67 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $35.34 | $70.67 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $42.83 | $85.66 |
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.