Origin
Wilton, CA
Late night in Wilton on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wilton, CA to San Jose, CA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 20m
Distance
111.8 mi
180 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wilton, CA
Stephen Leonardi
San Jose, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Wilton to San Jose is 111.8 miles and takes about 2h 20m via the South Sacramento Freeway and Robert T. Monagan Freeway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip hugs the Pacific Coast region, staying within California for its entirety. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused journey that makes for an easy day trip. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this if you need a reliable and quick transit between these two areas.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.9 miles from Wilton, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Sacramento Freeway | 29.7 mi | 34m |
| Robert T. Monagan Freeway | 13.9 mi | 15m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| Westside Freeway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| I 680 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Nimitz Freeway | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Vallecitos Road | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Grant Line Road | 5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
South Sacramento Freeway
— 29.7 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilton, CA and San Jose, CA.
1
Start on Green Road
37 ft
·
1 sec
·
Green Road
2
Turn right onto Wilton Road
2.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Wilton Road
3
Turn left onto E2
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Grant Line Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on E2
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Kammerer Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
6
Merge onto CA 99
30 mi
·
34 min
·
South Sacramento Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 4
8
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosstown Freeway
9
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
10
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 4
Toward I 5 South
11
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Westside Freeway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Robert T. Monagan Freeway
13
Continue on I 580
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 51
Toward CA 84: Isabel Avenue, Portola Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto CA 84
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Isabel Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on CA 84
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Vallecitos Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 680 South: Fremont, San Jose
18
Merge onto I 680
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
I 680
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 12
Toward CA 262
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward CA 262: Northwestern Polytechnic University, Warm Springs District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto CA 262
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Mission Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 880
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Nimitz Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 4A
Toward Downtown, North First Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
North 1st Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
25
Turn right onto West Julian Street
494 ft
·
17 sec
·
West Julian Street
26
Turn left onto North Market Street
196 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Market Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 20m duration, starting your drive anytime in the morning will allow you to reach San Jose well before evening. With only 111.8 miles and a $26 fuel estimate, this route is manageable without needing extensive rest stops, but planning a quick break around the halfway point is always a good idea. Keep an eye out for traffic, especially as you approach the San Jose area. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; leaving a bit earlier can help you beat any potential congestion on the South Sacramento Freeway.
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 55.9 miles from Wilton, CA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 25 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.9 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m
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 Wilton, 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 Wilton, CA
This is one driving day of about 111.8 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Wilton, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South Sacramento Freeway for about 29.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 80.7 and 110 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
80.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m 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
91 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m 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
99.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m 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
99.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m 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
110 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m 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
$25.70 one way
$51.39 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $26.48 | $52.96 |
| premium | $6.18 | $27.19 | $54.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.68 | $49.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.74 | $5.37 |
| Efficient EV | 28 | 0 | $9.78 | $4.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.65 | $7.16 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Late night in San Jose on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 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
20 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
2h 20m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the journey on major freeways. You'll navigate segments of the South Sacramento Freeway, Robert T. Monagan Freeway, and Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.7 miles on the South Sacramento Freeway. The road maintains a consistent character, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery. It's designed for covering distance smoothly, so anticipate a steady pace for most of the 111.8 miles.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.7 mi on South Sacramento Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Sacramento Freeway and Robert T. Monagan Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 80.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 111.8 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 80.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.7 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.
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 Wilton, CA to San Jose, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Warm Springs District along the way.
Warm Springs District
99.9 mi in
|
~2h 3m
About the Cities
Arriving in San Jose, CA
Full guide →Founded 1777
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 20m. Total distance: 111.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.7 miles on South Sacramento Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 80.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.7 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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