San Francisco - SFO to SJC, time?

Will be doing a MR from SJC to ALB in April, I haven't been out of sjc in years, normally out of sfo, can anyone help me with the driving time from sfo to sjc? I live in the northbay and it is an 1:45 min drive now to sfo for me via 19th ave 280 south, any help would be appreciated. What would be the fastest, jump to 101 south or stay on 280 south????

thanks

I'd probably take 280 to 380 to 101. But prior to doing that (about the time I hit 280 in the City), I'd not only listen to the traffic, but call 511 and ask "driving times" which will give you something sorta accurate sometimes ;) .

It really depends on the time of day...

Traffic hours: I would take 101s, 380w, 280s then 87n, get off at SJC airport exit.

Non Traffic hours: 101s, 87s, get off at SJC airport exit.

What time of day will you be driving? I avoid 101 like the plague during commute hours. 280 down the peninsula moves better during those times but 101 is faster without traffic.

What time of day will you be driving? I avoid 101 like the plague during commute hours. 280 down the peninsula moves better during those times but 101 is faster without traffic.


The flt is earlyyyyyy 6 am, so I would be traveling thru about 4 am or so

thanks

Depending where in the north bay you are, 580->80->880 might even be faster if you are leaving early enough to miss the morning commute on 80...

Depending where in the north bay you are, 580->80->880 might even be faster if you are leaving early enough to miss the morning commute on 80...

I'm coming in from santa rosa area, normally at that hour, the traffic to sfo thru 19th to 280 is non-existent, I'm not sure of the sfo to sjc time thats all, I used to drive the 880 to sjc area and don't think it would be faster, but thats why I'm asking, I have several of these MR's on hold and if I have to get up toooo early, I may not do them. If it is approx 30 min or there of, it's a go

thanks

... I used to drive the 880 to sjc area ...

Not originally from NorCal, eh? :p [Edited to add: To be clear, so this is a reference to the use of "the" in front of freeway names by those from SoCal.]

Yes, from 19th Ave, 280 to 380 to 101 is best that time of day. From the SFO exit to the SJC exit on 101 should take you about 35 min, or less if you have a lead foot.

Definitely take 101. How long is your MR? Same day turn? Where are you going to park?

Not originally from NorCal, eh?

IME, 880 is normally far better than 101. Though at that hour of the morning, it really doesn't matter.

IME, 880 is normally far better than 101. Though at that hour of the morning, it really doesn't matter.
880? I think it sounds like the OP lives in Marin County or somewhere around there.

880? I think it sounds like the OP lives in Marin County or somewhere around there.

Sonoma, but who's counting?

All you need to do is take the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge instead of the Golden Gate.

Definitely take 101. How long is your MR? Same day turn? Where are you going to park?


yeh it is a same day turn around, leaves 6:30 back by 10.18 pm sjc-ord-alb, the 158 dollar run that several people have taken already. Don't know where I'm going to park as of yet, have to see if they have a parknfly there, any suggestions welcome.

yep I live in sonoma county up by healdsburg, I definately know how to get there via 880, but not sure of the times. if the 101s is only 35 min longer from sfo I'll do it on the first run and ck the 880 on the return for time and go from there. My office used to be in Berkeley and could make that in 1:20 with no traffic, so from the 80-880 interchange it should be about an hour to sjc.

Not originally from NorCal, eh? :p
IME, 880 is normally far better than 101. Though at that hour of the morning, it really doesn't matter.

Oops, I was referring to the use of "the 880." I've edited my original post to beat this "in" joke into the ground. :p

I'm coming in from santa rosa area, normally at that hour, the traffic to sfo thru 19th to 280 is non-existent, I'm not sure of the sfo to sjc time thats all, I used to drive the 880 to sjc area and don't think it would be faster, but thats why I'm asking, I have several of these MR's on hold and if I have to get up toooo early, I may not do them. If it is approx 30 min or there of, it's a go

thanks

If you're coming from Santa Rosa I would not go through SF at that hour. 580-80-880 is your best bet. Google maps will show the route between Santa Rosa and SJC. Going through the City to SJC is only worth it during commutish hours to get the advantage of the 280.

IME, 880 is normally far better than 101. Though at that hour of the morning, it really doesn't matter.

880 used to be a bit better than the 101, especially during the lull after the dot com's died off and they widened 880 north of the 101. But now it's back to it's old tricks, and I think both are equally bad. If I have to get from the East Bay to SJ and points south during the commute hours I actually go over the Bay Bridge to get to the 280. If I have to pick up casual carpoolers I will, it's a quick jump back onto the freeway and worth avoiding the toll queue.

If I have to get from the East Bay to SJ and points south during the commute hours I actually go over the Bay Bridge to get to the 280.

880 and 101 are both miserable during commute hours. Personally, I take Caltrain. But then again, I only go to SF to grab the Hwy 17 bus to Santa Cruz at Diridon...

Traffic will not be a concern at 4:00 a.m. San Francisco traffic lights will, however, so I think the 580-80-880 suggestion is ideal. I wouldn't attempt that much after 5:30 a.m., though.

I wouldn't attempt that much after 5:30 a.m., though.

My guess is that it's a weekend flight. (Most MRs are, aren't they?) So, any route should be fine.

My guess is that it's a weekend flight. (Most MRs are, aren't they?) So, any route should be fine.

Actually they are tues and wed flts, I'm retired so I catch whatever and whenever flts are available. So I had better make tracks as early as posible, I figure I have to be on the road by 2:30-3:00am to be safe, yawn, now I need to figure out the parking.

Actually they are tues and wed flts, I'm retired so I catch whatever and whenever flts are available. So I had better make tracks as early as posible, I figure I have to be on the road by 2:30-3:00am to be safe, yawn, now I need to figure out the parking.
Overnight in Albany? Sounds like outbound Tues and return Wed?

If you don't mind parking on the street, PM me. If not De La Cruz Parking is good or the Hyatt Regency is pretty cheap.

Overnight in Albany? Sounds like outbound Tues and return Wed?
Nope. It's same day return (or at least can be - I'm doing this run (maybe different days) as well, there and back Tues, there and back Wed. 10,000 EQM, $300).

Nope. It's same day return (or at least can be - I'm doing this run (maybe different days) as well, there and back Tues, there and back Wed. 10,000 EQM, $300).

Frink
if you are on the 4-24 or 5-2 or 5-8, lets hook up somewhere along the line, if I remember your pm right, you are on the 4-24.

Nope. It's same day return (or at least can be - I'm doing this run (maybe different days) as well, there and back Tues, there and back Wed. 10,000 EQM, $300).
Back to back. Those are killer! Have fun. :)

Back to back. Those are killer! Have fun. :)
I just had a look at "My Itineraries" for the first time in a while - yikes! There are a lot of entries thanks to these low ALB fares. Is there a FT expression for that sort of "looking off of a cliff" feeling before you start doing a string of MRs?

Also, my fingers are crossed that we don't get stuck somewhere on Tuesday missing out on Wednesday. :(

How do you explain that to United anyway? "Uh, I missed the 6a flight out of SJC to ORD because I missed the 8p ORD to SJC the night before"?

NB: I wish there were a *wood property near SJC so I could get a mattress run in Tues night. Hehe. Then again that sort of defeats the coolness of a same day run to Albany.

Oops, I was referring to the use of "the 880." I've edited my original post to beat this "in" joke into the ground. :p

I knew exactly what you meant jsgoldbe ;)

out of SJC to ORD because I missed the 8p ORD to SJC the night before"?

NB: I wish there were a *wood property near SJC so I could get a mattress run in Tues night. Hehe. Then again that sort of defeats the coolness of a same day run to Albany.

There is A W Hotel silicon valley that looks like about a 20-30 minute
drive of the SJC airport. Stayed one night in December for about 120.00
Cheap for a W. and a heated pool.

There is A W Hotel silicon valley that looks like about a 20-30 minute
drive of the SJC airport. Stayed one night in December for about 120.00
Cheap for a W. and a heated pool.
I meant something like "Airport Westin" with a free shuttle to/from the airport. :)

How on earth did you get it for $120? I check prices every week or so and all of the SV *wood places seem to start at 220 (for the Sheraton!) and 320 for the Westin Sunnyvale. Stupid local economy doing well. (Ok, part of it seems to be that they're calling Fremont SV. Ha ha. I'm pretty amused that a "W" costs about half of a Four Points Sheraton.)

There is essentially no traffic at 4:00a on 101. It is the fastest way to SJC. There is essentially no traffic at anytime on 280 but the distance is longer. Only problem with 101 is accident issues. If there is an accident you could get stuck and be late for your flight.

There is essentially no traffic at 4:00a on 101. It is the fastest way to SJC. There is essentially no traffic at anytime on 280 but the distance is longer. Only problem with 101 is accident issues. If there is an accident you could get stuck and be late for your flight.

At 4:00 A.M., take 101 to SJC, shorter distance, and traffic won't be a factor. I believe the #1 & #2 lanes were closed around midnight between Oregon Expressway/Embarcadero (Palo Alto) and Rengstorff Ave. (Mountain View) earlier in the month though, but that still left two lanes for cars to travel at the speed limit or higher.

Allow some time to get from the long-term parking lot at SJC to what I call the third-world terminal. The ticket dispensing machines for L/T parking is a half-mile before the actual parking lot and there are numerous bus stops within the parking lot. L/T parking is $15/day at SJC.

My guess is that it's a weekend flight. (Most MRs are, aren't they?) So, any route should be fine.

Careful of the weekend. 101 and 880 can get backed up then, too. The annoying part is that it's not as predictable as commute hours. But there is typically a backup around the eastern approaches to the Bay Bridge on Saturday afternoons.

I just read through this whole thread and not one post mentioned UA. The closest thing I saw was a reference to "My Itineraries." This really belongs in the San Francisco forum so I am moving it there. Thanks for your understanding.

(BTW, even if UA were mentioned, I'd have moved it nonetheless.) :p

iluv2fly
Moderator, UA

Park at the Hyatt and have them take you over. It's easier and they don't make you wait forever.