How far is San Jose, CA from Cayucos, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Cayucos, CA is about 181.1 miles (291.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
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 03h 45m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Monterey 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 San Jose and Cayucos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Cayucos.
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1
Start on North Market Street
33 m · 6 sec · North Market Street
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2
Turn right onto Devine Street
84 m · 18 sec · Devine Street
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3
Turn left onto North San Pedro Street
93 m · 18 sec · North San Pedro Street
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4
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
602 ft · 16 sec · West Saint James Street
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5
Continue on West Julian Street
109 m · 7 sec · West Julian Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 87 South
1213 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Guadalupe Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Guadalupe Freeway
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8
Continue on Guadalupe Parkway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Guadalupe Parkway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Santa Teresa Boulevard
2182 ft · 31 sec
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10
Continue on Santa Teresa Boulevard
673 ft · 23 sec · Santa Teresa Boulevard
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11
Turn left onto CA 85 South
1533 ft · 41 sec
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12
Merge slight left
4.7 mi · 5 min
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13
Continue on US 101 South
1922 ft · 27 sec
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14
Continue straight
36.6 mi · 42 min
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15
Take the exit slight right
1.2 km · 50 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
110.7 mi · 2 hr 8 min · El Camino Real
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 46 West: Cambria, Hearst Castle
1034 ft · 29 sec
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18
Turn right onto Green Valley Road
4.5 mi · 6 min · Green Valley Road
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Green Valley Road
38 m · 2 sec · Green Valley Road
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Green Valley Road
5.9 mi · 8 min · Green Valley Road
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21
Turn left onto Old Creek Road
9.1 mi · 22 min · Old Creek Road
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22
Turn right onto Cabrillo Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · Cabrillo Highway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Cayucos
1091 ft · 33 sec
-
24
Turn left onto 13th Street
102 m · 12 sec · 13th Street
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25
Turn right onto South Ocean Avenue
112 m · 9 sec · South Ocean Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Ocean Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Cayucos.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
El Camino Real
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
111 mi · 02h 08m
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.
Sunny leaving San Jose and Sunny near Cayucos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Jose to Cayucos?
The road trip is about 181.1 miles (291.4 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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?
Greenfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.5 miles from San Jose and 90.5 miles from Cayucos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.7 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 PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:30 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.86 one way or $73.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Jose and Sunny near Cayucos.
Stop Ideas Near Greenfield
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 Greenfield.
King City, California
Salinas station
Seaside, California
Carmel, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Jose and Cayucos. Straight-line distance: 142.42 mi (229.2 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Cayucos
Census designated place
| Population | 2,592 |
| Coordinates | 35.4427500, -120.8921300 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cayucos (-120.89213, 35.44275)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $36.86 | $73.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $38.76 | $77.52 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $39.89 | $79.79 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $48.35 | $96.71 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.