How far is Montara, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance from Montara, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Town in California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Montara and San Francisco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montara and San Francisco.
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1
Start on Cabrillo Highway
12.7 mi · 19 min · Cabrillo Highway
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2
Keep slight right to continue on Junipero Serra Freeway
1555 ft · 20 sec · Junipero Serra Freeway
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3
Continue on John F Foran Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · John F Foran Freeway
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4
Take the exit slight left toward US 101 North: Civic Center, Bay Bridge
1.2 km · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto James Lick Freeway
1.8 mi · 3 min · James Lick Freeway
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6
Continue on Central Freeway
1.3 km · 1 min · Central Freeway
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7
Continue on Octavia Boulevard
2490 ft · 42 sec · Octavia Boulevard
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8
Turn right onto Market Street
629 ft · 32 sec · Market Street
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Market Street
961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Montara and San Francisco.
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.
Cabrillo Highway
Start on Cabrillo Highway
12.7 mi · 00h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Montara and Mostly Sunny near San Francisco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Montara to San Francisco?
The road trip is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?
Colma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.7 miles from Montara and 10.7 miles from San Francisco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.38 one way or $8.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Montara and Mostly Sunny near San Francisco.
Stop Ideas Near Colma
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
Albert Teglia Community Center
SF City Hall Photo
My City Hall Wedding
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Colma.
San Francisco (Civic Center), California
San Francisco (Shopping), California
San Francisco (Caltrain), California
San Francisco (Conv Ctr), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Montara and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 16.93 mi (27.25 km).
#1 Montara
Census-designated place in San Mateo County, California
| Population | 2,909 |
| Coordinates | 37.5421600, -122.5160900 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Francisco
The seventeenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Francisco Bay Area.
| Population | 866,606 |
| Coordinates | 37.7749300, -122.4194200 |
| Altitude | 16 |
| Country | United States |
End: Market Street (-122.419433, 37.774953)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.38 | $8.77 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.61 | $9.22 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.74 | $9.49 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $5.75 | $11.50 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.