How far is San Bernardino, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance from San Bernardino, CA to Santa Maria, CA is about 213.6 miles (343.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 38m 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 04h 19m.
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.
The most populous city in Ventura County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Bernardino and Santa Maria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Bernardino and Santa Maria.
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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
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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
-
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
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24
Continue on El Camino Real
16.4 mi · 19 min · El Camino Real
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25
Take the exit slight right toward CA 154: State Street, Cachuma Lake
1127 ft · 29 sec
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26
Continue on Calle Real
1672 ft · 40 sec · Calle Real
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27
Turn right onto Chumash Highway
23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
35 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway
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29
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Chumash Highway
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30
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
43 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway
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31
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
6.3 mi · 10 min · Chumash Highway
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32
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North
1138 ft · 31 sec
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33
Merge slight left
25.1 mi · 29 min
-
34
Take the exit slight right toward CA 166 West: Main Street
918 ft · 28 sec
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35
Turn left onto Nicholson Avenue
156 m · 16 sec · Nicholson Avenue
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36
Turn left onto East Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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37
Continue on East Main Street
53 m · 20 sec · East Main Street
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Bernardino 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.
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 Sunny near Santa Maria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Bernardino to Santa Maria?
The road trip is about 213.6 miles (343.7 km) and usually takes 04h 19m 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?
Camarillo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.5 miles from San Bernardino and 107.1 miles from Santa Maria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 8:22 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.21 one way or $94.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Bernardino and Sunny near Santa Maria.
Stop Ideas Near Camarillo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bella Capri Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites Camarillo
City of Thousand Oaks
Santa Paula City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Camarillo.
Camarillo station
Oxnard Transportation Center
Santa Paula, California
Moorpark
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Bernardino and Santa Maria. Straight-line distance: 188.33 mi (303.09 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 Santa Maria
Situated in northern Santa Barbara County at an elevation of 220 feet, this city lies within a wide coastal valley between the Pacific Ocean and inland mountain ranges.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.9530300, -120.4357200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Maria (-120.43572, 34.95303)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 344 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $47.21 | $94.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $49.00 | $98.00 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $50.44 | $100.87 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $63.43 | $126.87 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026