How far is San Jose, CA from Montara, CA?
The driving distance from San Jose, CA to Montara, CA is about 47.2 miles (76 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m 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 01h 04m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Jose and Montara.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Jose and Montara.
-
1
Start on North Market Street
33 m · 6 sec · North Market Street
-
2
Turn right onto Devine Street
84 m · 18 sec · Devine Street
-
3
Turn left onto North San Pedro Street
93 m · 18 sec · North San Pedro Street
-
4
Turn right onto West Saint James Street
602 ft · 16 sec · West Saint James Street
-
5
Continue on West Julian Street
109 m · 7 sec · West Julian Street
-
6
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 87 South
1213 ft · 32 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Guadalupe Freeway
2588 ft · 34 sec · Guadalupe Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 280 South, I 280 North: San Francisco
987 ft · 24 sec
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 280 North: San Francisco
2182 ft · 53 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Sinclair Freeway
30 mi · 35 min · Sinclair Freeway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward CA 92: Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, Hayward
128 m · 8 sec
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on CA 92 West: Half Moon Bay
2965 ft · 1 min
-
13
Continue straight
1193 ft · 30 sec
-
14
Turn slight right onto Half Moon Bay Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Half Moon Bay Road
-
15
Continue on San Mateo Road
4.9 mi · 9 min · San Mateo Road
-
16
Turn right onto Main Street
1338 ft · 30 sec · Main Street
-
17
Turn right onto Cabrillo Highway North
7.1 mi · 11 min · Cabrillo Highway North
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cabrillo Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Jose and Montara.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Sinclair Freeway
Merge slight left onto Sinclair Freeway
30 mi · 00h 35m
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 San Jose 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 Jose to Montara?
The road trip is about 47.2 miles (76 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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 San Jose and 23.6 miles from Montara.
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 10.4 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 4:22 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 San Jose and Sunny near Montara.
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 San Jose and Montara. Straight-line distance: 36.84 mi (59.29 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 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: 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.