How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica California to San Francisco California on the 1 highway?

Answer 1

Between 12 to 20 hours, depending on how often you stop to do things like eat, use the restroom, marvel at the scenery or sample wine. Traffic slowdowns are likely and to be expected in places like Malibu, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Monterrey, Santa Cruz, and Daly City. A traffic slowdown in Carmel-by-the-Sea is not just likely, it is a certainty.

PCH between San Simeon and Carmel is about the most spectacular drive anywhere in North America. If you average 35 miles an hour, you're doing it wrong because you really ought to stop and appreciate what you're seeing from time to time. If you exceed 35 miles an hour, you're doing it wrong because it's far too dangerous to drive that fast on that stretch of road.

PCH is the route to take when the journey is the destination and transit time is not an issue.

If you're just looking to get from here to there, take the 405 north to the 5, then take the 580 towards Oakland, and then take the Bay Bridge (on the 80) in to the City, that'll drop you off right in the financial district. Or if the Bay Bridge is out, go south on the Nimitz Freeway (the 238) and then take the San Mateo Bridge across the Bay, using Highway 101 to cut back north again to to SF from the south. That's about a 6-8 hour project without traffic. A dreadfully dull drive, but much, much faster.

As a compromise between speed and beauty, consider taking the 405 north to the 101 north, and that goes all the way in in about 8-10 hours, again if you are lucky enough to not be caught in traffic snarls. (Note that from Oxnard to Buellton, the 101 and the 1 are the same highway, which is a freeway in those parts.)

Or, take a shuttle on Southwest Airlines or one of its competitors, for about the same amount of money per person as you'd spend on a tank of gas. Flights leave nearly every half hour from LAX.

Have a good time, and drive safe!