How far is Santa Ana, CA from Buellton, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Buellton, CA is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.8 miles (234.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 45m 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 22m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and Buellton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Buellton.
-
1
Start on West 1st Street
576 ft · 16 sec · West 1st Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
-
3
Turn right onto West Santa Clara Avenue
615 ft · 14 sec · West Santa Clara Avenue
-
4
Continue on I 5 North: Los Angeles
1787 ft · 27 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Golden State Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura
1842 ft · 24 sec
-
9
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
2950 ft · 38 sec · Ventura Freeway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 53 sec · Ventura Freeway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
54.7 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Ventura Freeway
-
13
Keep slight left
18.5 mi · 21 min
-
14
Continue on El Camino Real
55.3 mi · 1 hr 5 min · El Camino Real
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 246: Lompoc, Solvang
807 ft · 25 sec
-
16
Turn left
1037 ft · 22 sec
-
17
Continue straight
88 m · 29 sec
-
18
Turn sharp left
50 m · 12 sec
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana and Sunny near Buellton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Buellton?
The road trip is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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 86 miles from Santa Ana and 86.2 miles from Buellton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.8 miles (234.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.4 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 10:14 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.08 one way or $70.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Ana and Sunny near Buellton.
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 Santa Ana and Buellton. Straight-line distance: 145.79 mi (234.62 km).
#1 Santa Ana
The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.
| Population | 331,301 |
| Coordinates | 33.7455700, -117.8678300 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| 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: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $35.08 | $70.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $36.88 | $73.76 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $37.96 | $75.91 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $46.01 | $92.01 |
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.