Kennedy, CA to San Jose, CA is 72.3 miles and takes about 1h 33m via I-580 / I-880, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive from the Central Valley toward the Bay Area. It's a manageable distance perfect for a single-day trip, especially if you're aiming to reach San Jose without an overnight stop. Consider this route for its efficiency if you're looking to get across this stretch of California quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.2 miles from Kennedy, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13.9 mi
15m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
12.9 mi
14m
Westside Freeway
9.5 mi
10m
I 680
8.3 mi
9m
Nimitz Freeway
8.3 mi
9m
Vallecitos Road
5.2 mi
7m
Isabel Avenue
4.7 mi
6m
Airport Way
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
— 13.9 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennedy, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on 11th Street
292 ft·14 sec·11th Street
2
Turn right onto South B Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·South B Street
3
Turn left onto East 10th Street
0.7 mi·2 min·East 10th Street
4
Turn left onto J3
2.0 mi·3 min·Airport Way
5
Turn right onto Sperry Road
0.4 mi·44 sec·Sperry Road
6
Continue on Arch Airport Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Arch Airport Road
7
Continue on J9
0.3 mi·33 sec·South French Camp Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 5
9.5 mi·10 min·Westside Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
14 mi·15 min·Robert T. Monagan Freeway
11
Continue on I 580
13 mi·14 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 51Toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto CA 84
4.7 mi·6 min·Isabel Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 84
5.2 mi·7 min·Vallecitos Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
16
Merge onto I 680
8.3 mi·9 min·I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 12Toward CA 262Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto CA 262
1.5 mi·2 min·Mission Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 880
8.3 mi·9 min·Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 4AToward Downtown, North First StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi·3 min·North 1st Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
23
Turn right onto West Julian Street
494 ft·17 sec·West Julian Street
24
Turn left onto North Market Street
196 ft·6 sec·North Market Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
For this 72.3-mile drive, leaving in the morning will help you avoid potential midday traffic as you get closer to San Jose. Since the trip is under 2 hours, you won't need to plan for overnight stays, giving you flexibility. While there are no designated stops in the data, keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $17, so a fill-up before you leave Kennedy is a good idea. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is about 13.9 miles, so plan your last restroom break before that segment if needed.
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 36.2 miles from Kennedy, CA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.9 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.2 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
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 Kennedy, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kennedy, CA
This is one driving day of about 72.3 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Kennedy, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Robert T. Monagan Freeway for about 13.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 41.2 and 70.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
41.2 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
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 51
Toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
6
51.4 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
7
60.2 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward CA 262
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward CA 262
9
60.4 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic Univers...
8
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, North First Street
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 4A
Toward Downtown, North First Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.62 one way
$33.24 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$17.12
$34.25
premium
$6.18
$17.58
$35.17
diesel
$5.61
$15.96
$31.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.7
0
$7.59
$3.47
Efficient EV
18.1
0
$6.33
$2.89
EV Truck/SUV
28.9
0
$10.12
$4.63
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Kennedy, CA
Late night
in Kennedy on Tuesday
Local time
5:04 AM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Jose, CA
Late night
in San Jose on Tuesday
Local time
5:04 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°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
22 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 33m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 73% of the 72.3 miles on freeways like the Robert T. Monagan Freeway and Westside Freeway. You'll experience a longest stretch of 13.9 miles on the Robert T. Monagan Freeway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent, mostly highway cruising experience with frequent exits as you approach the denser San Jose area.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.9 mi on Robert T. Monagan Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Robert T. Monagan Freeway and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.3 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Kennedy, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Warm Springs District along the way.
Often called "the capital of Silicon Valley", San Jose is the largest city in the Bay Area, 3rd largest in California, and the 12th largest city in the United States, with a population of over 997,000 residents as of 2024. It was named the 6th safest big city in the U.S. in 2015. This clean, sprawling metropolis has sports, beautiful vistas, and ethnic enclaves and bleeds into the greater Bay Area for travelers who want to take their time in Northern California.
Top landmarks
•Winchester Mystery House — Mansion in San Jose, California.
•San Jose Diridon station — railway station complex in San Jose, California
•Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum — building in San Jose, California, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 72.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.9 miles on Robert T. Monagan Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at San Jose, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Jose, CA before heading back.
