Big Sur to Santa Cruz: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Big Sur from Santa Cruz?

The distance from Big Sur to Santa Cruz is 50.1 miles (80.7 km) as the crow flies. Santa Cruz is located NNW of Big Sur. By car, the driving distance is approximately 65.2 miles, taking about 1h 19min. A direct flight would take roughly 36min. Both are located in United States.

This is a quick and easy drive, perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can easily make the round trip in a single day. 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. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Big Sur and Santa Cruz. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.