How far is Montara, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance from Montara, CA to San Jose, CA is about 47.3 miles (76.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 San Mateo County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Montara and San Jose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montara and San Jose.
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1
Start on Cabrillo Highway
7.1 mi · 11 min · Cabrillo Highway
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
1398 ft · 30 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn left onto San Mateo Road
4.9 mi · 9 min · San Mateo Road
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4
Continue on Half Moon Bay Road
2.7 mi · 5 min · Half Moon Bay Road
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 South: San Jose
1515 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
27.4 mi · 32 min · Junipero Serra Freeway
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7
Continue on Sinclair Freeway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Sinclair Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 87 North, CA 87 South: San Jose International Airport, Guadalupe Parkway
1244 ft · 30 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North: San Jose International Airport, Guadalupe Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on CA 87 North
1469 ft · 36 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Julian Street
982 ft · 26 sec
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12
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
867 ft · 28 sec · West Saint James Street
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13
Turn left onto North Market Street
127 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Montara and San Jose.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Junipero Serra Freeway
Merge slight left onto Junipero Serra Freeway
27.4 mi · 00h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Montara and Sunny near San Jose.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Montara to San Jose?
The road trip is about 47.3 miles (76.1 km) and usually takes 00h 59m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Woodside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.6 miles from Montara and 23.7 miles from San Jose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.63 one way or $19.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Montara and Sunny near San Jose.
Stop Ideas Near Woodside
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Woodside.
Fremont station
Santa Clara – Great America station
Santa Clara station
Hayward station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Montara and San Jose. Straight-line distance: 36.84 mi (59.29 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 Jose
The tenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Jose metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,013,616 |
| Coordinates | 37.3393900, -121.8949600 |
| Altitude | 26 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Market Street (-121.894962, 37.339389)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.63 | $19.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.13 | $20.26 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.43 | $20.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $12.64 | $25.27 |
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.