Modesto to San Jose: Road Trip Guide & Distance

53 miles 85.3 km · straight line
83.2 miles actual route 133.9 km · driving distance
1h 43min estimated drive time
$8 - $10 estimated fuel cost
~36min flight time · usually no direct flights
247° WSW bearing direction

How far is Modesto from San Jose?

The distance from Modesto to San Jose is 53 miles (85.3 km) as the crow flies. San Jose is located WSW of Modesto. By car, the driving distance is approximately 83.2 miles, taking about 1h 43min. A direct flight would take roughly 36min. Both are located in United States.

This is a quick and easy drive, perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can easily make the round trip in a single day. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Modesto and San Jose. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Modesto to San Jose

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 1h 43min $8 - $10 Flexible stops
Bus ~2h 4min $7–$12* Budget
Train ~1h 38min $10–$29* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Modesto & San Jose

Quick Facts

Modesto
37.64°N, 121.00°W
America/Los_Angeles
28m elevation
San Jose
37.34°N, 121.89°W
America/Los_Angeles
25m elevation
Explore more routes from San Jose

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 18 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 4 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 469.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM