How far is Buellton, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Buellton, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 176.5 miles (284.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.8 miles (234.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m 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 02h 50m.
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 most populous city in Ventura County, California.
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 Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buellton and Santa Ana.
-
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
126.1 mi · 2 hr 26 min
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Route 101
1 km · 44 sec · Route 101
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6
Merge slight left onto Hollywood Freeway
10.3 mi · 14 min · Hollywood Freeway
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7
Continue on Santa Ana Freeway
29.4 mi · 35 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
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11
Turn straight onto North Broadway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
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12
Turn left onto West 5th Street
639 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
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13
Turn right onto North Main Street
1209 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
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14
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buellton and Santa Ana.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
CA 246
Merge slight left
126 mi · 02h 26m
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 Santa Ana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buellton to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 176.5 miles (284.1 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?
Camarillo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.8 miles from Buellton and 91.7 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.8 miles (234.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.7 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 12:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.94 one way or $71.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Buellton and Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Camarillo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Hampton Inn & Suites Camarillo
Ventura City Hall (formerly the Ventura County Courthouse - California Historical Landmark #847)
San Buenaventura City Hall
Santa Paula City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Camarillo.
Camarillo station
Oxnard Transportation Center
Santa Paula, California
Moorpark
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buellton and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 145.79 mi (234.62 km).
#1 Buellton
City in Santa Barbara County, California
| Population | 5,449 |
| Coordinates | 34.6136000, -120.1926500 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Santa Ana
The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.
| Population | 331,301 |
| Coordinates | 33.7455700, -117.8678300 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 1st Street (-117.86783, 33.745553)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 284 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $35.94 | $71.88 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $37.79 | $75.58 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $38.89 | $77.79 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $47.14 | $94.28 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.