How far is Long Beach, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance from Long Beach, CA to Santa Maria, CA is about 48.2 miles (77.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.5 miles (53.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m 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 07m.
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.
Census-designated place 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 Long Beach and Santa Maria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Beach and Santa Maria.
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1
Start on East Ocean Boulevard
1.2 km · 2 min · East Ocean Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto North Golden Avenue
126 m · 7 sec · North Golden Avenue
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3
Keep slight left to continue on I 710 North
761 ft · 19 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Shoreline Drive
2800 ft · 48 sec · Shoreline Drive
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 710 North
1984 ft · 32 sec
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6
Merge slight right onto Seaside Freeway
2683 ft · 42 sec · Seaside Freeway
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7
Continue on Long Beach Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Santa Monica, San Diego
697 ft · 11 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North, I 710: Long Beach Freeway North, Santa Monica
855 ft · 21 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Santa Monica
1348 ft · 33 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North: Santa Monica
1500 ft · 37 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North
1656 ft · 41 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
30.5 mi · 35 min · San Diego Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North, US 101 South: Ventura, Los Angeles
3062 ft · 1 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: Ventura
3235 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
6.5 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward De Soto Avenue, Serrania Avenue
1284 ft · 28 sec
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18
Turn left onto De Soto Avenue
741 ft · 20 sec · De Soto Avenue
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19
Continue on Serrania Avenue
2770 ft · 1 min · Serrania Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Dumetz Road
2440 ft · 1 min · Dumetz Road
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21
Turn left onto Canoga Avenue
2207 ft · 1 min · Canoga Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Saltillo Street
2534 ft · 1 min · Saltillo Street
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23
Turn left onto Golondrina Street
809 ft · 36 sec · Golondrina Street
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24
Turn right onto Alhama Drive
130 m · 16 sec · Alhama Drive
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25
At the end of the road, turn left onto Mulholland Drive
1.1 mi · 3 min · Mulholland Drive
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26
Continue on Santa Maria Road
3083 ft · 2 min · Santa Maria Road
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Santa Maria Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Long Beach 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
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
30.5 mi · 00h 35m
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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach to Santa Maria?
The road trip is about 48.2 miles (77.6 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?
Ladera Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.1 miles from Long Beach and 24.1 miles from Santa Maria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.5 miles (53.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 4:14 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.81 one way or $19.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Long Beach and Mostly Sunny near Santa Maria.
Stop Ideas Near Ladera Heights
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
City of Los Angeles
Palos Verdes Estates City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ladera Heights.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Long Beach and Santa Maria. Straight-line distance: 33.49 mi (53.9 km).
#1 Long Beach
The second most populous city in California, Long Beach is a major center for business, manufacturing, and tourism.
| Population | 454,681 |
| Coordinates | 33.7669600, -118.1892300 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| 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: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.81 | $19.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.31 | $20.62 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.61 | $21.23 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $12.86 | $25.73 |
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.