Origin
Daly City, CA
Afternoon in Daly City on Sunday
Local time
1:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Daly City, CA to San Jose, CA
Drive Time
56m
Distance
45.2 mi
73 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 52m
★
6 AM
0h 56m
8 AM
1h 5m
10 AM
0h 59m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 0m
5 PM
1h 5m
8 PM
0h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Daly City, CA
Stephen Leonardi
San Jose, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Daly City to San Jose, expect a straightforward 49.2-mile journey that typically takes about 48 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it is short enough to complete in under an hour without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Santa Barbara Avenue, John Daly Boulevard, and I-280 South to make the connection between these two Pacific Coast locations. Budgeting approximately $7 for fuel should cover your expenses for the trip. Because the drive is efficient and direct, it serves as a practical link for commuters or travelers moving between these two California hubs.
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
22.6 miles from Daly City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route emphasizes navigating through local surface streets. With a 0% highway share, you will be focused on maneuvering through city segments rather than settling into a long, high-speed stretch. The longest uninterrupted portion of the drive is 0 miles on Santa Barbara Avenue, confirming that you should remain alert for frequent transitions. The road's personality is defined by its constant movement and lack of extended highway segments, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. It is a functional path that prioritizes navigation through local infrastructure over open-road cruising.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 32.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Bayshore Freeway and Junipero Serra Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in near I 380.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 45.2 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: at 6.6 miles (I 380): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
6.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 380
Take the exit onto I 380 toward I 380: San Francisco International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 43A
Toward I 380: San Francisco International Airpo...
8
8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6A
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco In...
7
8.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 101 South: San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
8
33.2 mi into trip
|
~41m 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
8
44.5 mi into trip
|
~54m 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
Between Daly City, CA and San Jose, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles.
San Francisco International Airport
8 mi in
|
~10m
Los Angeles
33.2 mi in
|
~41m
|
via US 101
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bayshore Freeway | 32.4 mi | 37m |
| Junipero Serra Freeway | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Guadalupe Freeway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| I 380 | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| John Daly Boulevard | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Saint James Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Julian Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Hillcrest Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Bayshore Freeway
— 32.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Daly City, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on Hillcrest Drive
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Hillcrest Drive
2
Turn left onto Santa Barbara Avenue
393 ft
·
20 sec
·
Santa Barbara Avenue
3
Turn right onto John Daly Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
John Daly Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 280 South, CA 1: San Jose
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 280
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Junipero Serra Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 280
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Junipero Serra Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 380
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 380
Exit 43A
Toward I 380: San Francisco International Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6A
Toward US 101 South: San Jose, San Francisco International Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 101 South: San Jose
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 101
24 mi
·
27 min
·
Bayshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 390
Toward CA 87 South: Guadalupe Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 87
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Guadalupe Freeway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 6B
Toward Julian Street, Saint James Street
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto West Julian Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Julian Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on West Saint James Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Saint James Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto North Market Street
416 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Market Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 48-minute trip with no scheduled stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Given the local nature of the roads, keep an eye on your turn-by-turn navigation to ensure you stay on the correct path through the city intersections. You won't need to worry about long-distance pacing or extensive rest stops, but it is wise to ensure your tank is ready for the $7 fuel cost before you head out. Because there are no mandatory stops, you can easily adapt your timing to avoid peak traffic hours if you prefer a smoother ride. Aim to head out when you are comfortable with local traffic patterns to make the most of this efficient transit.
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 22.6 miles from Daly City, CA, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.4 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 45.2 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.6 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 47m
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 Daly City, 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 Daly City, CA
This is one driving day of about 45.2 miles and 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Daly City, 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 32.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.6 mi from Daly City, CA · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 45.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.6 miles from Daly City, 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
$10.47 one way
$20.93 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $10.79 | $21.59 |
| premium | $6.24 | $11.11 | $22.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.04 | $20.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.75 | $2.17 |
| Efficient EV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.33 | $2.89 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
1:43 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.
Temperature spread
24 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
56m 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 Daly City, CA to San Jose, CA covers 45.2 miles and takes about 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Bayshore Freeway, Junipero Serra Freeway, Guadalupe Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.6 miles from Daly City, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.47 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 15 significant decision points across 45.2 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: at 6.6 miles (I 380): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Daly City, CA and San Jose, CA, road signs point toward San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From San Jose, CA
More from Daly City, CA
More trips to San Jose, CA
Explore more options from Daly City, CA or browse trips ending in San Jose, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Daly City, CA or San Jose, CA on MapSof.net.