How far is Los Angeles, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance from Los Angeles, CA to Santa Maria, CA is about 28.1 miles (45.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.7 miles (31.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Located in the central San Fernando Valley, this Los Angeles neighborhood is a densely populated area.
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 Los Angeles and Santa Maria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles and Santa Maria.
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1
Start on West 1st Street
761 ft · 32 sec · West 1st Street
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2
Turn right onto North Broadway
1959 ft · 49 sec · North Broadway
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3
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North, CA 110
1234 ft · 30 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.1 km · 55 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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5
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
9.4 mi · 13 min · Hollywood Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North: Ventura
3026 ft · 43 sec
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7
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
12.8 mi · 15 min · Ventura Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Canoga Avenue
1134 ft · 25 sec
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9
Turn left onto Canoga Avenue
1.3 mi · 4 min · Canoga Avenue
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10
Turn left onto Saltillo Street
2534 ft · 1 min · Saltillo Street
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11
Turn left onto Golondrina Street
809 ft · 36 sec · Golondrina Street
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12
Turn right onto Alhama Drive
130 m · 16 sec · Alhama Drive
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Mulholland Drive
1.1 mi · 3 min · Mulholland Drive
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14
Continue on Santa Maria Road
3083 ft · 2 min · Santa Maria Road
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Santa Maria Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Angeles and Santa Maria.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Ventura Freeway
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
12.8 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles to Santa Maria?
The road trip is about 28.1 miles (45.2 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Van Nuys is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14 miles from Los Angeles and 14 miles from Santa Maria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.7 miles (31.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.71 one way or $11.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Los Angeles and Mostly Sunny near Santa Maria.
Stop Ideas Near Van Nuys
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
City of Los Angeles
Topanga Canyon Town Council
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Van Nuys.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Los Angeles and Santa Maria. Straight-line distance: 19.7 mi (31.71 km).
#1 Los Angeles
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
| Population | 3,970,219 |
| Coordinates | 34.0522300, -118.2436800 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| 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: 45 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $5.71 | $11.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.01 | $12.01 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.18 | $12.36 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $7.49 | $14.98 |
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.