How far is Menlo Park, CA from San Simeon, CA?
The driving distance from Menlo Park, CA to San Simeon, CA is about 178.1 miles (286.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Monterey County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Menlo Park and San Simeon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Menlo Park and San Simeon.
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1
Start on the route
37 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left
12 m · 7 sec
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3
Turn left onto Merrill Street
79 m · 19 sec · Merrill Street
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4
Turn left onto Santa Cruz Avenue
94 m · 13 sec · Santa Cruz Avenue
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5
Turn left onto El Camino Real
136 m · 16 sec · El Camino Real
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6
Turn left onto Ravenswood Avenue
3139 ft · 2 min · Ravenswood Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Middlefield Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Middlefield Road
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8
Turn left onto Willow Road
1 mi · 3 min · Willow Road
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9
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 South: San Jose
1563 ft · 37 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Bayshore Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 South: Cupertino, Santa Cruz
13.3 mi · 15 min
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12
Take the exit right toward CA 17: San Jose, Santa Cruz
771 ft · 15 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on CA 17 South: Santa Cruz
1746 ft · 35 sec
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14
Merge slight left
21.5 mi · 29 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Watsonville, Monterey
1724 ft · 22 sec
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16
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
2243 ft · 55 sec · Cabrillo Highway
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17
Merge slight right onto Cabrillo Highway
133.3 mi · 2 hr 58 min · Cabrillo Highway
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18
Turn right onto San Simeon Road
1472 ft · 1 min · San Simeon Road
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Slo San Simeon Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Menlo Park and San Simeon.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Cabrillo Highway
Merge slight right onto Cabrillo Highway
133 mi · 02h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Menlo Park and Mostly Clear near San Simeon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Menlo Park to San Simeon?
The road trip is about 178.1 miles (286.6 km) and usually takes 04h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89 miles from Menlo Park and 89 miles from San Simeon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:58 AM PST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.68 one way or $73.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Menlo Park and Mostly Clear near San Simeon.
Stop Ideas Near Carmel-by-the-Sea
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old Monterey Jail
Monterey Harbor Office
Chautauqua Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Carmel, California
Monterey (Travelodge), California
Monterey (Transit Plaza), California
Monterey (Marriott), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Menlo Park and San Simeon. Straight-line distance: 136.63 mi (219.88 km).
#1 Menlo Park
City at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California
| Population | 34,934 |
| Coordinates | 37.4538300, -122.1821900 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Simeon
Situated on the central coast of California within San Luis Obispo County, this unincorporated community lies at an elevation of roughly 20 feet where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.6438600, -121.1907500 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Simeon (-121.19075, 35.64386)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.84 | $36.68 | $73.35 |
| Mid-grade | $6.09 | $38.22 | $76.44 |
| Premium | $6.28 | $39.41 | $78.83 |
| Diesel | $8.28 | $52.00 | $104.01 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026