Monterey to San Diego: Road Trip Guide & Distance

379.9 miles 611.4 km · straight line
442 miles actual route 711.4 km · driving distance
8h 39min estimated drive time
$43 - $52 estimated fuel cost
~1h 16min flight time
134° SE bearing direction

How far is Monterey from San Diego?

The distance from Monterey to San Diego is 379.9 miles (611.4 km) as the crow flies. San Diego is located SE of Monterey. By car, the driving distance is approximately 442 miles, taking about 8h 39min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 16min. Both are located in United States.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Monterey and San Diego. 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.

How to Get from Monterey to San Diego

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 8h 39min $43 - $52 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 16min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~10h 23min $35–$66* Budget
Train ~8h 13min $53–$155* Comfort

Flying saves significant time. Driving is better if you want flexibility and stops.

* Estimated range. Actual prices vary by date and provider.

Suggested Stops Between Monterey & San Diego

Quick Facts

Monterey
36.60°N, 121.89°W
America/Los_Angeles
26m elevation
San Diego
32.72°N, 117.16°W
America/Los_Angeles
20m elevation

From Monterey

From San Diego

Explore more routes from San Diego

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 127 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 32 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 65.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM