BART to San Jose Extension: How Long Would the Trip Be?

The opening of the BART to San Jose extension on June 13th, 2020, marked a significant improvement in transit options between San Francisco and the heart of Silicon Valley. The total trip time from San Jose’s Berryessa Station to San Francisco’s Embarcadero Station is approximately 1 hour 5 minutes, assuming there are no delays.

This time does not include the additional journey to Daly City, which extends BART’s reach even further.

Fastest Travel Time

During the middle of the night in good weather, with no traffic or hazardous road conditions, a journey by BART can take approximately 35-50 minutes.

Weekday Commutation

On weekdays, from 0600 to 2000, the journey can take about three times longer due to traffic. US Route 101, often called the Bayshore Highway, features two lanes in each direction, making it a notorious chokepoint for traffic.

Historical Context

During the late 1970s, I lived in San Jose and commuted to either San Carlos or South San Francisco. My usual mode of transport was the Caltrain, which, at the time, was run by Southern Pacific Railway. While the train could be grueling due to frequent delays, it was a more comfortable alternative to battling traffic. The train had a monthly pass that cost around $19.00, which was considered quite affordable.

Current Comparison

When trains operate on schedule, a trip from BART’s Embarcadero Station in San Francisco to Fremont Station in San Jose takes 46 minutes. This distance covers 30.8 miles of track.

The BART Warm Springs Extension Project includes a segment that runs from Warm Springs through Milipitas to Berryessa Station, adding 16 miles to BART’s total track length, which amounts to 20.4 miles in total.

Projections for Future Extensions

Based on the existing track and time, one can extrapolate an approximate trip time for the extension. For a journey of 30.8 miles, it takes about 45 minutes, which translates to approximately 1.46 minutes per mile. Therefore, the expected travel time for the extra 20.4 miles would be around 33.5 minutes.

This means the total trip from San Francisco to San Jose, accounting for the extension, would be approximately 1 hour 51 minutes, considering no delays.

Additional Information

The Berryessa Extension, completed in 2020, was a critical part of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) plans. The VTA is responsible for extending BART further down from Warm Springs, through Milipitas, to Berryessa Station.

Another point of interest is the proximity of the San Jose Flea Market, which is located just 3.7 miles away from the HP Pavilion or the Tech Museum. This makes for an excellent starting point for a journey to San Jose, as it would still be within a reasonable distance.

Conclusion

The BART to San Jose extension has significantly improved the travel experience between San Francisco and San Jose. While the travel time varies based on the time of day and other factors, the journey is much quicker and less stressful than struggling through traffic or taking a longer train ride. As the network expands, BART will continue to offer more convenient and reliable transportation options to the residents and visitors of this vibrant tech hub.

For the latest updates and schedules, you can check the official BART website or the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for more detailed information.