How far is Irvine, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to Santa Maria, CA is about 73 miles (117.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53.6 miles (86.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 06m 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 33m.
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 Los Angeles 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 Irvine and Santa Maria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and Santa Maria.
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1
Start on San Diego Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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2
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
1456 ft · 21 sec
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3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
951 ft · 22 sec · Jeffrey Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 North: Los Angeles
1228 ft · 18 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
6.5 mi · 7 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
9.7 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
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7
Keep slight left
42.5 mi · 49 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North, US 101 South: Ventura, Los Angeles
3062 ft · 1 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: Ventura
3235 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Canoga Avenue
1134 ft · 25 sec
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12
Turn left onto Canoga Avenue
1.3 mi · 4 min · Canoga Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Saltillo Street
2534 ft · 1 min · Saltillo Street
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14
Turn left onto Golondrina Street
809 ft · 36 sec · Golondrina Street
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15
Turn right onto Alhama Drive
130 m · 16 sec · Alhama Drive
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Mulholland Drive
1.1 mi · 3 min · Mulholland Drive
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17
Continue on Santa Maria Road
3083 ft · 2 min · Santa Maria Road
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Santa Maria Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine 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 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 Irvine 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 Irvine to Santa Maria?
The road trip is about 73 miles (117.5 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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?
Gardena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.5 miles from Irvine and 36.5 miles from Santa Maria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53.6 miles (86.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 3:24 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.88 one way or $29.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Irvine and Mostly Sunny near Santa Maria.
Stop Ideas Near Gardena
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
H2O Hermosa
City of Los Angeles
Palos Verdes Estates City Hall
Rolling Hills Estates City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gardena.
Torrance, CA
El Segundo, CA
Westchester, CA
San Pedro (Catalina Terminal), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and Santa Maria. Straight-line distance: 53.62 mi (86.3 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| 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: 118 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $14.88 | $29.77 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $15.65 | $31.30 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $16.11 | $32.21 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $19.52 | $39.05 |
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.