How far is Santa Barbara, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 95 miles (152.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 86.9 miles (139.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 40m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census-designated place in Ventura County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on Anacapa Street
1573 ft · 1 min · Anacapa Street
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2
Turn left onto East Haley Street
1033 ft · 41 sec · East Haley Street
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3
Turn right onto Garden Street
1104 ft · 43 sec · Garden Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward US 101 South
1014 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
12.2 mi · 14 min · El Camino Real
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6
Continue on Ventura Freeway
70.5 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Ventura Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Route 101
1 km · 44 sec · Route 101
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8
Merge slight left onto Hollywood Freeway
10.3 mi · 14 min · Hollywood Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
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10
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
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11
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
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12
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 12 sec · West 1st Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
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
Continue on Ventura Freeway
70.5 mi · 01h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Barbara and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 95 miles (152.9 km) and usually takes 01h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Casa Conejo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.5 miles from Santa Barbara and 47.5 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 86.9 miles (139.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:10 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.33 one way or $38.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Barbara and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Casa Conejo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Hampton Inn & Suites Camarillo
Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility - City of Thousand Oaks
Santa Paula City Hall
Homewood Suites by Hilton Agoura Hills
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Casa Conejo.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 86.9 mi (139.85 km).
#1 Santa Barbara
The most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.
| Population | 90,254 |
| Coordinates | 34.4208300, -119.6981900 |
| Altitude | 15 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Los Angeles
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
| Population | 3,970,219 |
| Coordinates | 34.0522300, -118.2436800 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 1st Street (-118.243569, 34.052341)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 153 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $19.33 | $38.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $20.32 | $40.64 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $20.91 | $41.83 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $25.35 | $50.70 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.