How far is Buellton, CA from Montecito, CA?
The driving distance from Buellton, CA to Montecito, CA is about 47.8 miles (76.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.2 miles (55 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m 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 00h 58m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buellton and Montecito.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buellton and Montecito.
-
1
Start on the route
49 m · 17 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left
672 ft · 15 sec
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3
Take the ramp right toward CA 246
910 ft · 22 sec
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4
Merge slight left
45.2 mi · 53 min
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5
Take the exit slight left toward Hot Springs Road, Cabrillo Boulevard
1000 ft · 27 sec
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6
Turn left onto East Cabrillo Boulevard
545 ft · 12 sec · East Cabrillo Boulevard
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7
Keep slight left to continue on East Cabrillo Boulevard
36 m · 3 sec · East Cabrillo Boulevard
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hot Springs Road
29 m · 2 sec · Hot Springs Road
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Hot Springs Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Hot Springs Road
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10
Continue on Hot Springs Road
2646 ft · 1 min · Hot Springs Road
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11
Turn right onto East Valley Road
2887 ft · 60 sec · East Valley Road
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12
Turn right onto San Ysidro Road
37 m · 3 sec · San Ysidro Road
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Ysidro Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buellton and Montecito.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
CA 246
Merge slight left
45.2 mi · 00h 53m
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.
Sunny leaving Buellton and Sunny near Montecito.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buellton to Montecito?
The road trip is about 47.8 miles (76.9 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?
Isla Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.9 miles from Buellton and 23.9 miles from Montecito.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.2 miles (55 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 4:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.58 one way or $21.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Buellton and Sunny near Montecito.
Stop Ideas Near Isla Vista
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Ballard Inn & Gathering Table
Quality Inn Buellton - Solvang
Ocean Mesa RV Resort
City of Goleta City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Isla Vista.
Goleta station
Santa Barbara
Carpinteria station
Solvang, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buellton and Montecito. Straight-line distance: 34.17 mi (54.99 km).
#1 Buellton
City in Santa Barbara County, California
| Population | 5,449 |
| Coordinates | 34.6136000, -120.1926500 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Montecito
Unincorporated census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California
| Population | 8,965 |
| Coordinates | 34.4366600, -119.6320800 |
| Altitude | 55 |
| Country | United States |
End: Montecito (-119.63208, 34.43666)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 77 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $10.58 | $21.16 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $10.98 | $21.97 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $11.30 | $22.61 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $14.22 | $28.44 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026