How far is Santa Barbara, CA from Oakland, CA?

The driving distance from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA is about 318.8 miles (513 km), with a travel time of about 05h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 274.3 miles (441.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
318.75 mi
05h 02m
Flight
274.33 mi
441.49 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Santa Barbara.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
274.33 mi
Kilometers
441.49 km
Flight Time
00h 33m

Driving Distance

Road route
318.75 mi
Kilometers
512.98 km
Drive Time
05h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Oakland
Sun, Apr 19, 5:23 AM PDT
Return by in Santa Barbara
Sun, Apr 19, 10:26 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Barbara
2026-04-19T00:20
Arrive Oakland
Sun, Apr 19, 5:23 AM PDT
Route Timing
05h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:03 AM to 1:03 PM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:54 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Santa Barbara
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
King City
CA

City in California, named after its founder, Charles King

From Santa Barbara
158.9 mi
02h 31m
To Oakland
159.9 mi
02h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
67°F
Sunday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Barbara and Oakland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Barbara and Oakland.

  1. 1

    Start on Anacapa Street

    550 ft · 23 sec · Anacapa Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Ortega Street

    1042 ft · 55 sec · East Ortega Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Chapala Street

    1027 ft · 35 sec · Chapala Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Haley Street

    1491 ft · 49 sec · West Haley Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward US 101 North

    142 m · 11 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto El Camino Real

    3.5 mi · 4 min · El Camino Real

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 154: State Street, Cachuma Lake

    1127 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Calle Real

    1672 ft · 40 sec · Calle Real

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Chumash Highway

    23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway

    35 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Chumash Highway

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway

    43 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway

    6.3 mi · 10 min · Chumash Highway

  14. 14

    Take the ramp right toward US 101 North

    1138 ft · 31 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    229.6 mi · 4 hr 25 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left

    12.2 mi · 14 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 880 North: Oakland

    1188 ft · 29 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway

    7.3 mi · 8 min · Nimitz Freeway

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway

    12.6 mi · 15 min · Nimitz Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    17 mi · 19 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Oak Street, Lakeside Drive

    1226 ft · 33 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Oak Street

    1685 ft · 49 sec · Oak Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 12th Street

    1523 ft · 46 sec · 12th Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Harrison Street

    559 ft · 25 sec · Harrison Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto 14th Street

    1058 ft · 49 sec · 14th Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 14th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Barbara and Oakland.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
26 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
3 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 101 North
242 mi · 76%
Nimitz Freeway
36.9 mi · 12%
Chumash Highway
32.5 mi · 10%
El Camino Real
3.49 mi · 1%
Oak Street
0.55 mi
Calle Real
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

US 101 North

Merge slight left

230 mi · 04h 25m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.5 mi
274.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
King City
02h 31m from Santa Barbara
Leave By
6:54 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Barbara and Chance Light Rain near Oakland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Barbara to Oakland?

The road trip is about 318.8 miles (513 km) and usually takes 05h 02m 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?

King City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.9 miles from Santa Barbara and 159.9 miles from Oakland.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 274.3 miles (441.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.5 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 6:54 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $64.90 one way or $129.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Barbara and Chance Light Rain near Oakland.

Stop Ideas Near King City

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around King City, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to King City.

BUS

King City, California

1 mi away
1350 Broadway Circle
RAIL

Salinas station

70 mi away
Station Place and Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Paso Robles station

77 mi away
800 Pine Street
BUS

Carmel, California

79 mi away
3645 Rio Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Barbara and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 274.33 mi (441.49 km).

Santa Barbara

#1 Santa Barbara

The most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.

Population90,254
Coordinates34.4208300, -119.6981900
Altitude15
CountryUnited States
Oakland

#2 Oakland

The third most populous city in California, Oakland is a major center for business, manufacturing, and culture.

Population424,891
Coordinates37.8043700, -122.2708000
Altitude13
CountryUnited States
Start: East De la Guerra Street (-119.698286, 34.420899)
End: 14th Street (-122.270903, 37.804207)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 513 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.25 gal
42.58 L · about $64.90
Round trip
$129.80
22.5 gal · 85.16 L
Estimated CO2
100 kg one way
Round trip: 200 kg / 441 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $64.90 $129.80
Mid-grade $6.07 $68.24 $136.48
Premium $6.24 $70.23 $140.47
Diesel $7.57 $85.13 $170.26

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

There is no time difference between Santa Barbara and Oakland. The current time is 00:20:58.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.