How far is Anaheim, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance from Anaheim, CA to Santa Maria, CA is about 55.4 miles (89.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43 miles (69.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 14m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Anaheim and Santa Maria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim and Santa Maria.
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1
Start on the route
61 m · 17 sec
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2
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
129 m · 22 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.6 km · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue
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4
Turn left onto I 5 North: Los Angeles
887 ft · 14 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura
1842 ft · 24 sec
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9
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
2950 ft · 38 sec · Ventura Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 53 sec · Ventura Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
14.9 mi · 17 min · Ventura Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Canoga Avenue
1134 ft · 25 sec
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14
Turn left onto Canoga Avenue
1.3 mi · 4 min · Canoga Avenue
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15
Turn left onto Saltillo Street
2534 ft · 1 min · Saltillo Street
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16
Turn left onto Golondrina Street
809 ft · 36 sec · Golondrina Street
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17
Turn right onto Alhama Drive
130 m · 16 sec · Alhama Drive
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Mulholland Drive
1.1 mi · 3 min · Mulholland Drive
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19
Continue on Santa Maria Road
3083 ft · 2 min · Santa Maria Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Santa Maria Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Anaheim and Santa Maria.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Santa Ana Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 00h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Anaheim and Mostly Sunny near Santa Maria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Anaheim to Santa Maria?
The road trip is about 55.4 miles (89.2 km) and usually takes 01h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.8 miles from Anaheim and 27.6 miles from Santa Maria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43 miles (69.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:02 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.25 one way or $22.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Anaheim and Mostly Sunny near Santa Maria.
Stop Ideas Near Los Angeles
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
City of Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
Pasadena, California
Westchester, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Anaheim and Santa Maria. Straight-line distance: 42.99 mi (69.19 km).
#1 Anaheim
The second most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Anaheim metropolitan area.
| Population | 353,676 |
| Coordinates | 33.8352900, -117.9145000 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Santa Maria
The third most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.
| Population | 105,851 |
| Coordinates | 34.1314000, -118.5745300 |
| Altitude | 426 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Maria (-118.57453, 34.1314)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $11.25 | $22.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $11.83 | $23.66 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $12.17 | $24.35 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $14.76 | $29.51 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.