How far is Willits, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Willits, CA to San Jose, CA is about 182.2 miles (293.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.5 miles (263.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Willits and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willits and San Jose.
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1
Start on Pine Street
45 m · 8 sec · Pine Street
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2
Turn right onto Coast Street
50 m · 13 sec · Coast Street
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3
Turn left onto West Valley Street
131 m · 19 sec · West Valley Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
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5
Continue on Redwood Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Redwood Highway
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6
Take the ramp slight right
116.7 mi · 2 hr 19 min
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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 Willits 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
Take the ramp slight right
117 mi · 02h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Light Rain leaving Willits 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 Willits to San Jose?
The road trip is about 182.2 miles (293.2 km) and usually takes 03h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cotati is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.5 miles from Willits and 91.7 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.5 miles (263.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:38 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.09 one way or $74.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Willits and Chance Light Rain near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Cotati
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Rohnert Park Public Works
City of Santa Rosa
City of Santa Rosa - Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cotati.
Rohnert Park, California
Petaluma, California
Santa Rosa, California
Healdsburg (Singletree Inn), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Willits and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 163.45 mi (263.05 km).
#1 Willits
City in California, USA
| Population | 4,831 |
| Coordinates | 39.4096100, -123.3555700 |
| Altitude | 424 |
| 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: 293 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $37.09 | $74.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $39.00 | $78.01 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $40.14 | $80.28 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $48.66 | $97.31 |
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.