Monterey to Santa Cruz: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Monterey from Santa Cruz?

The distance from Monterey to Santa Cruz is 26.9 miles (43.3 km) as the crow flies. Santa Cruz is located NNW of Monterey. By car, the driving distance is approximately 35 miles, taking about 42min. A direct flight would take roughly 33min. Both are located in United States.

This is a very short trip, perfect for a quick morning drive or an easy commute. 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 Monterey 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.