How far is San Francisco, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance from San Francisco, CA to Santa Maria, CA is about 262.3 miles (422.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 224 miles (360.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 12m 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 Monterey County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Francisco and Santa Maria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco and Santa Maria.
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1
Start on Market Street
95 m · 8 sec · Market Street
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2
Turn right onto 11th Street
3173 ft · 2 min · 11th Street
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3
Turn left onto Bryant Street
143 m · 18 sec · Bryant Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 101 South: San Jose
1719 ft · 29 sec
-
5
Merge slight right onto James Lick Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · James Lick Freeway
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6
Continue on Bayshore Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Bayshore Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
25 mi · 29 min · Bayshore Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Bayshore Freeway
48.8 mi · 56 min · Bayshore Freeway
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9
Continue on El Camino Real
10 mi · 11 min · El Camino Real
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10
Take the exit slight right
1.2 km · 50 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
135.9 mi · 2 hr 37 min · El Camino Real
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12
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
11.8 mi · 14 min · Cabrillo Highway
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13
Continue on El Camino Real
17.2 mi · 20 min · El Camino Real
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CA 135 South
1612 ft · 39 sec
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15
Turn straight onto North Broadway
1.9 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
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16
Turn left onto East Main Street
37 m · 12 sec · East Main Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Francisco and Santa Maria.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
El Camino Real
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
136 mi · 02h 37m
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 Francisco and Mostly Clear near Santa Maria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Santa Maria?
The road trip is about 262.3 miles (422.1 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?
Soledad is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131 miles from San Francisco and 131.2 miles from Santa Maria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 224 miles (360.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.3 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 6:48 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.98 one way or $115.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Francisco and Mostly Clear near Santa Maria.
Stop Ideas Near Soledad
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Soledad.
King City, California
Salinas station
Prunedale, California
Seaside, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Francisco and Santa Maria. Straight-line distance: 224.03 mi (360.54 km).
#1 San Francisco
The seventeenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Francisco Bay Area.
| Population | 866,606 |
| Coordinates | 37.7749300, -122.4194200 |
| Altitude | 16 |
| 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: 422 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $57.98 | $115.95 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $60.18 | $120.36 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $61.94 | $123.88 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $77.90 | $155.81 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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