Origin
Burlingame, CA
Afternoon in Burlingame on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Burlingame, CA to San Jose, CA
Drive Time
40m
Distance
33.2 mi
53 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 37m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 43m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 47m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Burlingame, CA
Stephen Leonardi
San Jose, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Burlingame to San Jose covers a short 33.2-mile distance that typically takes about 36 minutes to complete. Because this is a quick journey within the Pacific Coast region, it is perfectly suited for a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. You should budget approximately $5 for fuel to cover the distance between these two California hubs. Since the route is entirely local, you gain significant flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to head out whenever it best suits your plans. It is a straightforward commute that avoids the complexities of a multi-day road trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
16.6 miles from Burlingame, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. With a 0% highway share, you will navigate through local streets rather than cruising along high-speed interstates. This profile means the road's personality is defined by frequent turns and changing conditions rather than long, monotonous stretches. You won't find any extended, uninterrupted segments on this trip, so stay alert for changing traffic patterns. It is an active driving experience that feels very different from a standard highway slog.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Bayshore Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 28.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Bayshore Freeway and Guadalupe Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broadway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 33.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Broadway
Turn right onto Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 101 South: San Jose
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
8
21.2 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 101 / Bayshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101 / Bayshore Freeway toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
7
29.6 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 390
Toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
8
32.5 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward Julian Street, Saint James Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6B
Toward Julian Street, Saint James Street
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Burlingame, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.
Los Angeles
21.2 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 101
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bayshore Freeway | 28.7 mi | 33m |
| Guadalupe Freeway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| Broadway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Saint James Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Julian Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| El Camino Real | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Bayshore Freeway
— 28.7 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlingame, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on CA 82
70 ft
·
5 sec
·
El Camino Real
2
Turn right onto Broadway
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Broadway
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Merge onto US 101
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 101
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 390
Toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on CA 87
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Guadalupe Freeway
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 6B
Toward Julian Street, Saint James Street
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto West Julian Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Julian Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on West Saint James Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Saint James Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto North Market Street
416 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Market Street
12
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
Since this 33.2-mile drive is relatively short, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever traffic conditions look most favorable. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, as the 36-minute duration is easily manageable in one go. Keep your $5 fuel budget in mind, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a trip that relies exclusively on local roads. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize your departure time to avoid local peak-hour congestion, as the lack of highway miles means you will be moving through the heart of the local road network.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 16.6 miles from Burlingame, CA, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 33.2 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.6 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Jose, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Burlingame, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Burlingame, CA
This is one driving day of about 33.2 miles and 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Burlingame, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Bayshore Freeway for about 28.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.6 mi from Burlingame, CA · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.6 miles from Burlingame, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in San Jose, CA
The final approach into San Jose, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around San Jose, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.69 one way
$15.38 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $7.93 | $15.86 |
| premium | $6.24 | $8.16 | $16.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.38 | $14.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10 | 0 | $3.49 | $1.59 |
| Efficient EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.91 | $1.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.65 | $2.12 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
San Jose, CA
Afternoon in San Jose on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
40m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Burlingame, CA to San Jose, CA covers 33.2 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Bayshore Freeway, Guadalupe Freeway, Broadway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.6 miles from Burlingame, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.69 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 33.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles (US 101 / Bayshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Burlingame, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.
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