How far is San Simeon, CA from Menlo Park, CA?
The driving distance from San Simeon, CA to Menlo Park, CA is about 178.3 miles (286.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PST.
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 04h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Monterey County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Simeon and Menlo Park.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Simeon and Menlo Park.
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1
Start on Slo San Simeon Road
104 m · 25 sec · Slo San Simeon Road
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2
Continue on San Simeon Road
1130 ft · 52 sec · San Simeon Road
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3
Merge slight right onto Cabrillo Highway
93.6 mi · 2 hr 12 min · Cabrillo Highway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Cabrillo Highway
12.8 mi · 14 min · Cabrillo Highway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Cabrillo Highway
26.9 mi · 32 min · Cabrillo Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 17 North: San Jose, Oakland
2245 ft · 28 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Santa Cruz Highway
21.2 mi · 29 min · Santa Cruz Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 85 North, CA 85 South: Mountain View, Gilroy
1031 ft · 20 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on CA 85 North: Mountain View
2190 ft · 42 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on CA 85 North: Mountain View
558 ft · 14 sec
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11
Continue straight
966 ft · 24 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on CA 85: Mountain View
2157 ft · 55 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto West Valley Freeway
12.7 mi · 15 min · West Valley Freeway
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14
Continue on US 101 North: San Francisco
2931 ft · 41 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Bayshore Freeway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Bayshore Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road
1287 ft · 34 sec
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17
Turn left onto Willow Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Willow Road
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18
Turn right onto Middlefield Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Middlefield Road
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19
Turn left onto Ravenswood Avenue
2998 ft · 2 min · Ravenswood Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Merrill Street
60 m · 15 sec · Merrill Street
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21
Turn left
12 m · 5 sec
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22
Turn right
37 m · 9 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Simeon and Menlo Park.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Cabrillo Highway
Merge slight right onto Cabrillo Highway
93.6 mi · 02h 12m
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.
Mostly Clear leaving San Simeon and Mostly Sunny near Menlo Park.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Simeon to Menlo Park?
The road trip is about 178.3 miles (286.9 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.3 miles from San Simeon and 90 miles from Menlo Park.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.7 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 PST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:58 AM PST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.73 one way or $73.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around San Simeon and Mostly Sunny near Menlo Park.
Stop Ideas Near Carmel-by-the-Sea
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old Monterey Jail
Monterey Harbor Office
Chautauqua Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Carmel, California
Monterey (Travelodge), California
Monterey (Transit Plaza), California
Monterey (Marriott), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Simeon and Menlo Park. Straight-line distance: 136.63 mi (219.88 km).
#1 San Simeon
Situated on the central coast of California within San Luis Obispo County, this unincorporated community lies at an elevation of roughly 20 feet where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.6438600, -121.1907500 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Menlo Park
City at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California
| Population | 34,934 |
| Coordinates | 37.4538300, -122.1821900 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
End: Menlo Park (-122.18219, 37.45383)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.84 | $36.73 | $73.47 |
| Mid-grade | $6.09 | $38.28 | $76.56 |
| Premium | $6.28 | $39.48 | $78.95 |
| Diesel | $8.28 | $52.09 | $104.17 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026