How far is San Diego, CA from Buellton, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Buellton, CA is about 261.2 miles (420.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 218 miles (350.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 13m 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 05h 06m.
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 Los Angeles County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Buellton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Buellton.
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1
Start on Front Street
8 m · 6 sec · Front Street
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2
Turn left onto West Broadway
88 m · 12 sec · West Broadway
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3
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
3072 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1017 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
13.5 mi · 16 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
36.3 mi · 43 min · San Diego Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
14.1 mi · 16 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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9
Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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10
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
9.6 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
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11
Keep slight left
42.5 mi · 49 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 101 North, US 101 South: Ventura, Los Angeles
3062 ft · 1 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 101 North: Ventura
3235 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
46.9 mi · 54 min · Ventura Freeway
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15
Keep slight left
18.5 mi · 21 min
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16
Continue on El Camino Real
55.3 mi · 1 hr 5 min · El Camino Real
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CA 246: Lompoc, Solvang
807 ft · 25 sec
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18
Turn left
1037 ft · 22 sec
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19
Continue straight
88 m · 29 sec
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20
Turn sharp left
50 m · 12 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Buellton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
El Camino Real
Continue on El Camino Real
55.3 mi · 01h 05m
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 Diego and Sunny near Buellton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Buellton?
The road trip is about 261.2 miles (420.3 km) and usually takes 05h 06m 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?
Culver City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.6 miles from San Diego and 130.6 miles from Buellton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 218 miles (350.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.2 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 6:46 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.13 one way or $106.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Diego and Sunny near Buellton.
Stop Ideas Near Culver City
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
Vernon City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Culver City.
Westchester, CA
Westwood-UCLA, CA
El Segundo, CA
Los Angeles Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Diego and Buellton. Straight-line distance: 217.96 mi (350.77 km).
#1 San Diego
The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,422,420 |
| Coordinates | 32.7157100, -117.1647200 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Buellton
City in Santa Barbara County, California
| Population | 5,449 |
| Coordinates | 34.6136000, -120.1926500 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buellton (-120.19265, 34.6136)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $53.13 | $106.26 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $55.87 | $111.74 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $57.50 | $115.00 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $69.69 | $139.38 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.