Monterey

California

2
Destinations

Monterey is located in California, approximately 51 miles from San Jose. Browse 2 driving routes from Monterey with accurate travel times and distances.

Driving Times from Monterey

2 destinations

Short Drives — 1

San Francisco
120 miles
2h

Medium Trips — 1

Santa Barbara
230 miles
3h 30min

Nearby Cities

Gilroy (33 mi)Morgan Hill (39 mi)Almaden Valley (43 mi)Los Gatos (44 mi)Blossom Valley (45 mi)Cambrian Park (46 mi)

Routes to Monterey

Santa Barbara → MontereySan Francisco → Monterey

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Monterey from San Francisco?
Monterey is approximately 120 miles from San Francisco, taking around 2h.
What cities are within 3 hours of Monterey?
There are 2 cities within 3 hours, including San Francisco, Monterey.
How many routes from Monterey?
Monterey has 2 routes in our database.

How Far Is Monterey from Major Cities?

Approximate road distances and non-stop drive times from Monterey to nearby major cities. The closest major hub is San Jose, roughly 60 miles away by road.

San Jose~60 mi · 1h
San Francisco~105 mi · 1h 45m
Fresno~140 mi · 2h 30m
Sacramento~165 mi · 2h 45m
Los Angeles~325 mi · 5h 30m

Estimates assume typical highway speeds without extended stops; actual times vary with traffic and weather.

Nearest Major Airports to Monterey

If part of the trip is by air, these are the closest major airports to Monterey by road:

San Jose (SJC)~65 mi · 1h
San Francisco (SFO)~90 mi · 1h 30m

Airport drive times are door-to-terminal estimates — add time for parking and security.

Driving from Monterey: What to Know

Located in California in the West Coast, Monterey is well positioned for road trips both short and long. For longer drives, plan a rest stop roughly every two hours, keep your tank above a quarter full, and aim to leave outside the morning and evening rush windows to save time. The main corridor for trips listed on this page is I-5, so check for construction or closures on that route before setting out.

All drive times on this page assume normal conditions. Gas cost estimates use a 30 MPG vehicle at current average fuel prices — a hybrid or EV can cut that cost roughly in half, and you can compare electric options on our EV trip pages.

Road Trips from Monterey

Looking to hit the road from Monterey? Browse 4 driving routes with detailed travel data including estimated drive times, mileage, and gas costs. From short trips under an hour to epic multi-day drives, Monterey connects to destinations across the country. Click any route card for a full breakdown of the journey, including suggested stops, traffic estimates, toll information, and the recommended time of day to depart for the smoothest drive.