How far is Los Angeles, CA from Santa Ynez, CA?
The driving distance from Los Angeles, CA to Santa Ynez, CA is about 125.3 miles (201.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111.7 miles (179.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m 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 35m.
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 Ventura County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Los Angeles and Santa Ynez.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles and Santa Ynez.
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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
52.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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8
Keep slight left
18.5 mi · 21 min
-
9
Continue on El Camino Real
16.4 mi · 19 min · El Camino Real
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 154: State Street, Cachuma Lake
1127 ft · 29 sec
-
11
Continue on Calle Real
1672 ft · 40 sec · Calle Real
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12
Turn right onto Chumash Highway
23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Mission Drive
64 m · 4 sec · Mission Drive
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Mission Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Mission Drive
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15
Turn right onto Edison Street
1382 ft · 40 sec · Edison Street
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16
Turn right onto Tivola Street
573 ft · 25 sec · Tivola Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tivola Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Angeles and Santa Ynez.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Ventura Freeway
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
52.6 mi · 01h 01m
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 Los Angeles and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ynez.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Los Angeles to Santa Ynez?
The road trip is about 125.3 miles (201.6 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?
El Rio is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.6 miles from Los Angeles and 62.7 miles from Santa Ynez.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111.7 miles (179.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 1:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.50 one way or $51.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Los Angeles and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ynez.
Stop Ideas Near El Rio
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bella Capri Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites Camarillo
Ventura City Hall (formerly the Ventura County Courthouse - California Historical Landmark #847)
San Buenaventura City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to El Rio.
Oxnard Transportation Center
Camarillo station
Ventura
Santa Paula, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Los Angeles and Santa Ynez. Straight-line distance: 111.73 mi (179.81 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 Ynez
Town in Santa Barbara County, California, United States
| Population | 4,418 |
| Coordinates | 34.6144300, -120.0798700 |
| Altitude | 185 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Ynez (-120.07987, 34.61443)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 202 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $25.50 | $51.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $26.81 | $53.62 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $27.59 | $55.19 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $33.45 | $66.89 |
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.