How far is Atascadero, CA from Morro Bay, CA?

The driving distance from Atascadero, CA to Morro Bay, CA is about 17.5 miles (28.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
17.44 mi
00h 26m
Flight
13.22 mi
21.27 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Atascadero.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.22 mi
Kilometers
21.27 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
17.44 mi
Kilometers
28.07 km
Drive Time
00h 26m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Morro Bay
Thu, Apr 16, 4:54 PM PDT
Return by in Atascadero
Thu, Apr 16, 5:21 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Atascadero
2026-04-16T16:28
Arrive Morro Bay
Thu, Apr 16, 4:54 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:27 AM to 7:27 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:36 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Atascadero
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Cayucos
CA

Census designated place

From Atascadero
8.7 mi
00h 13m
To Morro Bay
8.7 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph N
Destination
64°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Atascadero and Morro Bay.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Atascadero and Morro Bay.

  1. 1

    Start on El Camino Real

    2133 ft · 49 sec · El Camino Real

  2. 2

    Turn right onto CA 41

    2.7 mi · 4 min · CA 41

  3. 3

    Continue on Old U.S. Route 466

    13.3 mi · 20 min · Old U.S. Route 466

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1220 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Cabrillo Highway

    139 m · 6 sec · Cabrillo Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Main Street

    1206 ft · 30 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2775 ft · 59 sec · Main Street

  8. 8

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Atascadero and Morro Bay.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
8 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Old U.S. Route 466
13.5 mi · 78%
CA 41
2.65 mi · 15%
Main Street
0.75 mi · 4%
El Camino Real
0.4 mi · 2%
Cabrillo Highway
0.09 mi
Longest Stretch

Old U.S. Route 466

Continue on Old U.S. Route 466

13.3 mi · 00h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 26m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.3 mi
13.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cayucos
00h 13m from Atascadero
Leave By
7:36 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Atascadero and Sunny near Morro Bay.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Atascadero to Morro Bay?

The road trip is about 17.5 miles (28.1 km) and usually takes 00h 26m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Cayucos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.7 miles from Atascadero and 8.7 miles from Morro Bay.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:36 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.58 one way or $7.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Atascadero and Sunny near Morro Bay.

Stop Ideas Near Cayucos

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Cayucos and the surrounding midpoint area.
The Carlton Hotel
Coffee break 5.9 mi away

The Carlton Hotel

Atascadero , CA
6005 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422, United States
Rating 4.4/5 342 reviews Hotel,Bakery,Event venue,Meeting planning service,Restaurant
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Atascadero
Stay option 6 mi away

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Atascadero

Atascadero , CA
9010 W Front Rd, Atascadero, CA 93422, United States
Rating 4.4/5 408 reviews Hotel
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 13.5 mi away

Paso Robles Water & Sewer

Paso Robles , CA
821 Pine St #A, Paso Robles, CA 93446, United States
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews Sewage disposal service,Water utility company
City of San Luis Obispo Parking Services
Meeting point 11.9 mi away

City of San Luis Obispo Parking Services

San Luis Obispo , CA
1260 Chorro St suite b, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, United States
Rating 2.3/5 15 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cayucos.

BUS

Atascadero, California

21 mi away
6910 El Camino Real
RAIL

Paso Robles station

27 mi away
800 Pine Street
BUS

San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), California

27 mi away
Grand Avenue & Deer Road
RAIL

San Luis Obispo

28 mi away
1011 Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Atascadero and Morro Bay. Straight-line distance: 13.22 mi (21.27 km).

Atascadero

#1 Atascadero

City in California, USA

Population30,254
Coordinates35.4894200, -120.6707300
Altitude268
CountryUnited States
Morro Bay

#2 Morro Bay

City in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Population10,560
Coordinates35.3658100, -120.8499000
Altitude19
CountryUnited States
Start: Atascadero (-120.67073, 35.48942)
End: Morro Bay (-120.8499, 35.36581)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 28 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.62 gal
2.33 L · about $3.58
Round trip
$7.15
1.24 gal · 4.66 L
Estimated CO2
5.5 kg one way
Round trip: 11 kg / 24 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $3.58 $7.15
Mid-grade $6.07 $3.76 $7.52
Premium $6.24 $3.87 $7.74
Diesel $7.57 $4.69 $9.38

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in California · Apr 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Atascadero and Morro Bay. The current time is 16:28:10.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.