How far is Chula Vista, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance from Chula Vista, CA to Santa Maria, CA is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.2 miles (216 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
A city in Orange County, California.
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 Chula Vista and Santa Maria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chula Vista and Santa Maria.
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1
Start on F Street
16 m · 3 sec · F Street
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2
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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3
Continue on Highland Avenue
146 m · 11 sec · Highland Avenue
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4
Take the ramp right toward CA 54 East
1007 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto South Bay Freeway
1592 ft · 19 sec · South Bay Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 805
958 ft · 23 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 805 North
1.4 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Jacob Dekema Freeway
18.7 mi · 21 min · Jacob Dekema Freeway
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9
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 56 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto San Diego Freeway
35.4 mi · 42 min · San Diego Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 16 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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13
Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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14
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
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15
Keep slight left
42.5 mi · 49 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North, US 101 South: Ventura, Los Angeles
3062 ft · 1 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: Ventura
3235 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Canoga Avenue
1134 ft · 25 sec
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20
Turn left onto Canoga Avenue
1.3 mi · 4 min · Canoga Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Saltillo Street
2534 ft · 1 min · Saltillo Street
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22
Turn left onto Golondrina Street
809 ft · 36 sec · Golondrina Street
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23
Turn right onto Alhama Drive
130 m · 16 sec · Alhama Drive
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24
At the end of the road, turn left onto Mulholland Drive
1.1 mi · 3 min · Mulholland Drive
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25
Continue on Santa Maria Road
3083 ft · 2 min · Santa Maria Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Santa Maria Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chula Vista 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.
San Diego Freeway
Keep slight left
42.5 mi · 00h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chula Vista 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 Chula Vista to Santa Maria?
The road trip is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km) and usually takes 03h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Aliso Viejo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79 miles from Chula Vista and 78.9 miles from Santa Maria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.2 miles (216 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:32 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.13 one way or $64.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chula Vista and Mostly Sunny near Santa Maria.
Stop Ideas Near Aliso Viejo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Aliso Viejo.
San Juan Capistrano
Irvine Transportation Center
San Clemente Pier station
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chula Vista and Santa Maria. Straight-line distance: 134.2 mi (215.97 km).
#1 Chula Vista
The second most populous city in San Diego County, California.
| Population | 272,979 |
| Coordinates | 32.6400500, -117.0842000 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| 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: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $32.13 | $64.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $33.79 | $67.58 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $34.77 | $69.55 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $42.15 | $84.30 |
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.