SF to Monterey
 

Does anyone have any idea now long a drive it will be from Muir Woods down Highway 1 to Monterey? How much shorter would it take on 101? What about the return from Monterey to San Jose Airport?

What time of day? Which day of the week?

Monday morning in Muir Woods, driving to Monterey early afternoon.

Wednesday from Monterey to San Jose Airport for 7:30 pm flight.

Weekdays you have to worry about rush hour traffic.

On the trip from Muir Woods to Monterey, if you are leaving VERY early in the afternoon, you should have nothing to worry about. Assuming that you are getting on 101 to San Francisco and then picking up Highway 1 in SF, the entire trip should take you about 2 and 1/2 hours.

On the trip Monterey to San Jose Airport, assuming you have to arrive around 5:30pm, you will be running into peak hour traffic. The trip should take no more than an hour and a half normally, but I'd suggest leaving Monterey around 4:30pm just to give yourself enough time. Have dinner somewhere around the airport before boarding.

Hope this helps!

280 is a much nicer drive from SF to connect with 101. It's not a commercial route, so there are fewer trucks, zero billboards, and the lanes are wider and smoother. Voted one of the best highways, blah blah blah.

Carpool lanes around this area of CA are from 3-7pm and require 2 people minimum.

Getting onto 101 South, there will be a slowdown as 280 South merges, but this will clear up after Capitol Expressway. Use the carpool lane on the far left as soon as you can get there.

101 also slows as you go through Morgan Hill / Gilroy and a lane is lost, and then gained a little later.

Keep your eyes open for solid white Chevy Camaros driven by the CHP for the duration of this trip.

Driving North from Monterey to SJC should be light traffic. Once you get to the airport read the airport traffic signs carefully. Some people miss a turn and end up on the freeway again.

Muir Woods to Monterey means driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, then going through San Francisco on city streets--there is no freeway through the City.. Monday morning is rush hour, the absolute worst time to cross the bridge. If you have all the time in the world, go for it, but there are other possibilities that will get you out of the City and seeing redwoods while halfway to your destination at Monterey. Namely, Big Basin.

Your redwood alternate is to head south from SF on Interstate 280 (the most beautiful freeway in the world), to CA-85 to either CA-9 or CA-17, either road gets you to Felton, Felton is the key, From Felton take Hwy9 to Hwy236 at Boulder Creek, north to the Big Basin park headquarters. There you will see redwoods bigger than any you'll see at Muir Woods. And you can hike all day in the redwoods, unlike Muir Woods. This would skip Hwy One, for the most part--Big Basin does reach Hwy One at Waddell Beach, but there's a six mile hike from there to the old growth redwoods.

From SF to BB to Monterey would be about 4 hours driving time, allow more for stopping to see the trees and lunch and so on.

Going to Muir Woods and then down Hwy One, perhaps the same time if you're faster about it.

I wouldn't advise anyone who has little time to spare to travel on 9 or 17 - - - Especially 9. One stalled truck, or one fallen tree and your trip is extended by 45-120 agonizing minutes.

If you want to see every squirrel and banana slug in the county, take 9. If you want to see every backwoods crank lab owner in the county, go through Felton and Boulder Creek. I would only advise this route if your timing included dinner - and in that instance I would say stop in at Ciao Bella for dinner in BC.

Avatexrs is looking for a "shorter" route alternative, not a "longer" alternative.

I drive the Monterey to San Jose route one time per week. You should have no problem getting to SJ airport for a 730pm flight. I never have a rental car to dump so never get to SJC 2 hours in advance anymore. The security runs pretty good there now.

I'd stick with your original idea of going down Highway 1 from Muir Woods to Monterey.

The drive on Highway 1 through San Francisco after you cross the Golden Gate Bridge will be on city streets, however, I've driven that route numerous times and it takes about 20 minutes. Much better than winding your way through the mountains along 17 and 9.

If you want an alternate route in San Francisco, drive westward towards the ocean and catch the drive right along the ocean. It's a beautiful route and a short drive along Highway 35 will connect you with Highway 1.