How far is San Bernardino, CA from Isla Vista, CA?
The driving distance from San Bernardino, CA to Isla Vista, CA is about 162 miles (260.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.3 miles (238.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 24m 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 12m.
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.
City in California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Bernardino and Isla Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Bernardino and Isla Vista.
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1
Start on West 5th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West 5th Street
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2
Take the ramp right toward I 215 North: Barstow
1769 ft · 45 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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4
Continue on Barstow Freeway
2632 ft · 35 sec · Barstow Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
1 mi · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
21.4 mi · 25 min · Foothill Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
20 mi · 23 min · Foothill Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Ventura Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2776 ft · 36 sec · Ventura Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles, Sacramento
1862 ft · 24 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North, CA 134 West: Golden State Freeway, Sacramento, Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
98 m · 4 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura, Zoo Drive
1317 ft · 17 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on CA 134: Ventura
715 ft · 9 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
1 km · 44 sec · Ventura Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 53 sec · Ventura Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
54.7 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Ventura Freeway
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23
Keep slight left
18.5 mi · 21 min
-
24
Continue on El Camino Real
22 mi · 25 min · El Camino Real
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Los Caneros Road
1381 ft · 42 sec
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26
Turn left onto North Los Carneros Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · North Los Carneros Road
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27
At the end of the road, turn left onto El Colegio Road
639 ft · 23 sec · El Colegio Road
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28
Turn right onto Camino Pescadero
1144 ft · 54 sec · Camino Pescadero
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29
Turn right onto Abrego Road
600 ft · 32 sec · Abrego Road
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30
Turn left
79 m · 21 sec
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31
Turn right
28 m · 7 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Bernardino and Isla Vista.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
54.7 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Sunny leaving San Bernardino and Mostly Sunny near Isla Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Bernardino to Isla Vista?
The road trip is about 162 miles (260.7 km) and usually takes 03h 12m 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?
Calabasas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.8 miles from San Bernardino and 81.1 miles from Isla Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.3 miles (238.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.7 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 10:36 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.94 one way or $65.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Bernardino and Mostly Sunny near Isla Vista.
Stop Ideas Near Calabasas
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Beverly Hilton
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
Calabasas City Hall
City of Los Angeles
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Calabasas.
Chatsworth station
Simi Valley
Van Nuys station
Westwood-UCLA, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Bernardino and Isla Vista. Straight-line distance: 148.33 mi (238.71 km).
#1 San Bernardino
The second most populous city in San Bernardino County, California.
| Population | 217,491 |
| Coordinates | 34.1083400, -117.2897700 |
| Altitude | 321 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Isla Vista
California
| Population | 23,096 |
| Coordinates | 34.4133300, -119.8609700 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
End: Isla Vista (-119.86097, 34.41333)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $32.94 | $65.88 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $34.64 | $69.27 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $35.65 | $71.30 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $43.21 | $86.42 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.