San Francisco to Los Angeles
This is leg 2 of 5.
Travel leg · Pacific Coast Highway
Monterey & Carmel to Big Sur
Monterey & Carmel and Big Sur sit about 37 km (23 mi) apart in a straight line, with Big Sur to the south. It is leg 2 of 5 on our Pacific Coast Highway itinerary, a 6-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 37 km · 23 mi
- Est. road distance
- 45–52 km
- Est. drive time
- 35 min – 1 h
- Direction
- Heading south
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Pacific Coast Highway itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 45–52 km (28–33 mi) of road and 35 min – 1 h behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
By train
Our Pacific Coast Highway guide also mentions trains for parts of the trip. Whether a direct train links Monterey and Big Sur depends on the line — check timetables.
A car is the whole point here, and one shared vehicle keeps the group together. Plan to drive south to north or north to south and pick up or drop off a rental in the two big cities. Train and bus options exist for some legs but skip the scenic parts.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Big Sur
Drive it slowly over a full day, stopping at pullouts, one or two short hikes and a cliffside lunch.
Bixby Creek Bridge
1932 concrete arch bridge, the most photographed spot on Highway 1.
Point Sur Lightstation
Guided tours of an 1889 lighthouse atop a volcanic rock.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Redwood groves along the Big Sur River with trails to Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View.
Big Sur River Inn
Roadside inn where you can sit in chairs set in the river with a drink.
Nepenthe
Clifftop restaurant since 1949 with long coastal views from the terrace.
Pfeiffer Beach
Purple-streaked sand and Keyhole Arch at the end of narrow Sycamore Canyon Road.
Before you leave Monterey & Carmel
Give it a full day: aquarium and Cannery Row in the morning, Point Lobos and Carmel in the afternoon.
On this curated route
Where Monterey → Big Sur sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Big Sur to Monterey & Carmel is the same 37 km in a straight line, heading north. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Monterey to Big Sur: questions travelers ask
How far is Monterey & Carmel from Big Sur?
Monterey & Carmel is about 37 km (23 mi) from Big Sur in a straight line, with Big Sur to the south. By road, we estimate 45–52 km (28–33 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Monterey & Carmel to Big Sur?
An estimated 35 min – 1 h, assuming 45–52 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Monterey & Carmel to Big Sur?
Our Pacific Coast Highway itinerary includes this leg. Pacific Coast Highway runs about 6 days across 6 stops, best in Apr – Oct.
Onward from Big Sur
- Big Sur to San Simeon 87 km
Getting to Monterey
Guides for both ends
- Monterey & Carmel travel guide
- Monterey & Carmel weather best time to visit
- Big Sur travel guide
- Big Sur weather best time to visit
Big Sur by month
Plan Monterey → Big Sur with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.