Trip from San Jose, CA to Livermore, CA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

43m

Distance

31.9 mi

51 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 10 min

4 AM

0h 40m ★

6 AM

0h 43m

8 AM

0h 50m

10 AM

0h 46m

12 PM

0h 45m

3 PM

0h 46m

5 PM

0h 50m

8 PM

0h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Trip Overview

Spanning just 31.9 miles, this straightforward trek between San Jose and Livermore is a quick journey that typically takes about 43 minutes. Because of the short distance, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $4 on fuel for the excursion, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, keeping the environment familiar throughout your travels. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, this drive serves as a practical connection between these two California hubs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 43m. Total distance: 31.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike long-haul interstate routes, this trip features no major highway stretches, meaning your travel time is spent navigating local roads rather than cruising at high speeds. Because the highway share is 0%, you should anticipate a more active, hands-on driving experience compared to a standard freeway commute. The route keeps you engaged with constant adjustments as you transition from the urban environment of San Jose toward Livermore. It is a technical, low-speed trip that favors maneuverability over highway stamina.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 880 is the longest continuous segment at about 8.5 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

769 ft 20 ft

Total Climb

1,204 ft

Total Descent

794 ft

Highest Point

769 ft

~25.1 mi in

Elevation Range

749 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 880 and I 680. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 31.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 43m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7

1.5 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 880 North: Oakland

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 880 North: Oakland

7

10.9 mi into trip | ~14m in | CA 262

Take the exit onto CA 262 toward Sacramento

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 12A Toward Sacramento

6

12.5 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward I 680 North: Sacramento

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 680 North: Sacramento

8

12.7 mi into trip | ~16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 680 North: Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 680 North: Sacramento

8

21.5 mi into trip | ~27m in | CA 84

Take the exit onto CA 84 toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road

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 21B Toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from San Jose, CA to Livermore, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.

Sacramento

10.9 mi in | ~14m | via CA 262

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 880	8.5 mi	9m
I 680	8.5 mi	9m
CA 84	5.5 mi	7m
Isabel Avenue	2.6 mi	3m
CA 262	1.6 mi	2m
Coleman Avenue	1.4 mi	2m
East Stanley Boulevard	1.3 mi	2m
Railroad Avenue	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 880 — 8.5 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Jose, CA and Livermore, CA.

1

Start on North Market Street

196 ft · 8 sec · North Market Street

2

Continue on Coleman Avenue

1.4 mi · 2 min · Coleman Avenue

Use the straight lane.

3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 880 North: Oakland Use the right lane.

4

Merge onto I 880

8.5 mi · 9 min · I 880

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 880

0.6 mi · 41 sec · Nimitz Freeway

6

Take the exit onto CA 262

1.6 mi · 2 min · CA 262

Exit 12A Toward Sacramento Use the slight right lane.

7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 680 North: Sacramento Use the straight lane.

8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 680 North: Sacramento Use the straight lane.

9

Merge onto I 680

8.5 mi · 9 min · I 680

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

10

Take the exit onto CA 84

5.5 mi · 7 min · CA 84

Exit 21B Toward CA 84 East: Livermore, Vallecitos Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

11

Merge onto CA 84

2.6 mi · 3 min · Isabel Avenue

Use the straight lane.

12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

13

Turn right onto East Stanley Boulevard

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Stanley Boulevard

14

Continue on Railroad Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

15

Turn right onto CR J2

0.1 mi · 16 sec · South Livermore Avenue

16

Arrive at destination

CR J2

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.33 one way

$14.66 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 11 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$7.56	$15.11
premium	$6.18	$7.76	$15.52
diesel	$5.61	$7.04	$14.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$7

Estimated CO2 emission: 11.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	9.6	$3.35	$1.53
Efficient EV	8	$2.79	$1.28
EV Truck/SUV	12.8	$4.47	$2.04

Gas CO2

11 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (64% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026

Origin

San Jose, CA

Evening in San Jose on Thursday

Local time

8:37 PM

PDT

Current temp

44°F

Areas Of Fog

SSE 2 mph 21% chance Live forecast

Destination

Livermore, CA

Evening in Livermore on Thursday

Local time

8:37 PM

PDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

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

43m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from San Jose, CA to Livermore, CA covers 31.9 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 880, I 680, CA 84. 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 miles from San Jose, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.33 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 short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 31.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 43m.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles (CA 262): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from San Jose, CA to Livermore, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Sacramento along the way.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 20 ft to 769 ft elevation with about 1,204 ft of total climbing.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500