Christmas and New Year road trip
San Jose to San Simeon for Christmas and New Year
- Distance
- 170 mi
- Driving
- 4 hrs + traffic
- Halfway
- Big Sur
The next Christmas and New Year lands on Friday, December 25, 2026. On CA-17 and CA-1, the heaviest traffic usually hits the weekend before Christmas and January 2. Check mountain pass and winter weather the night before every leg.
Plan this drive in XCRSNBook the halfway night early
Big Sur sits about 97 miles from San Jose and 73 miles from San Simeon. Holiday weekends sell out the rooms near the highway first.
Total trip cost
Gas uses today's regional averages along this route. Add the nightly rate you find to see the full total.
- Gas, about 170 miles
- Checking prices
- Lodging, 1 night
- Add a rate
- Estimated total
- -
Along the way
- Sea otters at Elkhorn Slough
- Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery
- Whale watching from Monterey
Full drive guide for this route
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