How far is San Francisco, CA from Montara, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Montara, CA is about 21 miles (33.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 59m 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 29m.
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.
Census-designated place in San Mateo County, California
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 San Francisco and Montara.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Montara.
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1
Start on Market Street
95 m · 8 sec · Market Street
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2
Turn right onto 11th Street
3173 ft · 2 min · 11th Street
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3
Turn left onto Bryant Street
143 m · 18 sec · Bryant Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1719 ft · 29 sec
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5
Merge slight right onto James Lick Freeway
2.1 mi · 3 min · James Lick Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 South: Daly City
1294 ft · 22 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 South: Daly City
1344 ft · 23 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto John F Foran Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · John F Foran Freeway
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9
Continue on Junipero Serra Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Junipero Serra Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on CA 1 South: Pacifica
3.6 mi · 4 min
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11
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
7.7 mi · 13 min · Cabrillo Highway
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cabrillo Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Montara.
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
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
7.74 mi · 00h 13m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Francisco and Sunny near Montara.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Montara?
The road trip is about 21 miles (33.8 km) and usually takes 00h 29m 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?
Broadmoor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.5 miles from San Francisco and 10.5 miles from Montara.
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 4.1 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 $4.27 one way or $8.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Francisco and Sunny near Montara.
Stop Ideas Near Broadmoor
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 Broadmoor.
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 San Francisco and Montara. Straight-line distance: 16.93 mi (27.25 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Montara
Census-designated place in San Mateo County, California
| Population | 2,909 |
| Coordinates | 37.5421600, -122.5160900 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: Montara (-122.51609, 37.54216)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.27 | $8.54 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.49 | $8.98 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.62 | $9.24 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $5.60 | $11.20 |
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.