How far is Walnut Creek, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Walnut Creek, CA to San Jose, CA is about 50.5 miles (81.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.3 miles (64.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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 00h 47m.
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.
Census-designated place in Alameda County, California
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 Walnut Creek and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Walnut Creek and San Jose.
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1
Start on North Main Street
29 m · 5 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Ygnacio Valley Road
1877 ft · 1 min · Ygnacio Valley Road
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3
Take the exit left toward I 680 South: San Jose
1730 ft · 45 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
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5
Continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
31 mi · 36 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 262
866 ft · 21 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
1597 ft · 39 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Mission Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · Mission Boulevard
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10
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Nimitz Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, North First Street
991 ft · 26 sec
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12
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
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13
Turn right onto West Julian Street
151 m · 18 sec · West Julian Street
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14
Turn left onto North Market Street
60 m · 7 sec · North Market Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Walnut Creek 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.
Donald D Doyle Highway
Keep slight right to continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
31 mi · 00h 36m
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.
Sunny leaving Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek to San Jose?
The road trip is about 50.5 miles (81.2 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?
Sunol is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.1 miles from Walnut Creek and 27.4 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.3 miles (64.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 4:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.27 one way or $20.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Walnut Creek and Mostly Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Sunol
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 Sunol.
Pleasanton, CA
Fremont (San Joaquin Buses), California
Fremont station
Dublin-Pleasanton, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Walnut Creek and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 40.26 mi (64.79 km).
#1 Walnut Creek
The fifth most populous city in Contra Costa County, California.
| Population | 69,936 |
| Coordinates | 37.9063100, -122.0649600 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| 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: 81 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $10.27 | $20.54 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.80 | $21.59 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $11.11 | $22.23 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $13.47 | $26.94 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.