How far is Santa Margarita, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Margarita, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 214.8 miles (345.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163 miles (262.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PST.
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 04h 00m.
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.
Census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Margarita and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Margarita and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on H Street
38 m · 9 sec · H Street
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2
Turn left onto Murphy Avenue
123 m · 20 sec · Murphy Avenue
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3
Turn right onto I Street
2636 ft · 1 min · I Street
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4
Continue on Wilhelmina Avenue
818 ft · 28 sec · Wilhelmina Avenue
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5
Turn left onto El Camino Real
1.6 km · 1 min · El Camino Real
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6
Take the ramp straight
780 ft · 19 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
8.4 mi · 10 min · El Camino Real
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8
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
11.8 mi · 14 min · Cabrillo Highway
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9
Continue on El Camino Real
44.8 mi · 52 min · El Camino Real
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 154: Los Olivos, Lake Cachuma
1266 ft · 39 sec
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11
Turn left onto Chumash Highway
6.4 mi · 10 min · Chumash Highway
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
39 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Chumash Highway
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
35 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway
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16
Take the ramp slight left toward US 101 South
1206 ft · 32 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
17 mi · 20 min · El Camino Real
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18
Continue on Ventura Freeway
70.5 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Ventura Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Route 101
1 km · 44 sec · Route 101
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20
Merge slight left onto Hollywood Freeway
10.3 mi · 14 min · Hollywood Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
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22
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
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23
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
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24
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 12 sec · West 1st Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Margarita 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 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 Margarita and 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 Margarita to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 214.8 miles (345.7 km) and usually takes 04h 00m 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?
Mission Canyon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.2 miles from Santa Margarita and 115.6 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163 miles (262.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.8 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 PST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:00 AM PST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.27 one way or $88.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Margarita and Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Mission Canyon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Motel 6 Carpinteria, CA - Santa Barbara - South
Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
City of Santa Barbara Police Department
City of Santa Barbara City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mission Canyon.
Santa Barbara
Goleta station
Carpinteria station
Solvang, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Margarita and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 163.05 mi (262.4 km).
#1 Santa Margarita
Located in inland San Luis Obispo County at an elevation of 1,010 feet, this rural community is situated between the Santa Lucia and La Panza mountain ranges near the headwaters of the Salinas River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.3899700, -120.6090600 |
| Altitude | 308 |
| 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 (-118.24357, 34.05234)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 346 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.84 | $44.27 | $88.53 |
| Mid-grade | $6.09 | $46.13 | $92.26 |
| Premium | $6.28 | $47.57 | $95.14 |
| Diesel | $8.28 | $62.77 | $125.54 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026