Albuquerque to Big Sur: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Albuquerque from Big Sur?

The distance from Albuquerque to Big Sur is 853.8 miles (1374 km) as the crow flies. Big Sur is located W of Albuquerque. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1013.7 miles, taking about 18h 31min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 13min. Both are located in United States — Albuquerque in New Mexico and Big Sur in California.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Albuquerque and Big Sur. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.