How far is Santa Maria, CA from Anaheim, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Maria, CA to Anaheim, CA is about 54.2 miles (87.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43 miles (69.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 38m 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 19m.
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.
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
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 Maria and Anaheim.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Maria and Anaheim.
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1
Start on Santa Maria Road
3083 ft · 2 min · Santa Maria Road
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2
Continue on Mulholland Drive
1.1 mi · 3 min · Mulholland Drive
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3
Turn right onto Alhama Drive
130 m · 16 sec · Alhama Drive
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4
Turn left onto Golondrina Street
809 ft · 36 sec · Golondrina Street
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5
Turn right onto Saltillo Street
2534 ft · 1 min · Saltillo Street
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Canoga Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · Canoga Avenue
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7
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South: Ventura Freeway, Los Angeles
1042 ft · 17 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
12.5 mi · 14 min · Ventura Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Route 101
1 km · 44 sec · Route 101
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10
Merge slight left onto Hollywood Freeway
10.3 mi · 14 min · Hollywood Freeway
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11
Continue on Santa Ana Freeway
24.4 mi · 29 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Lincoln Avenue
2410 ft · 33 sec
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13
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi · 4 min · West Lincoln Avenue
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14
Turn right onto South Anaheim Boulevard
113 m · 14 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
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15
Turn right
61 m · 15 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Maria and Anaheim.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Santa Ana Freeway
Continue on Santa Ana Freeway
24.4 mi · 00h 29m
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 Maria and Mostly Sunny near Anaheim.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Maria to Anaheim?
The road trip is about 54.2 miles (87.3 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?
Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.7 miles from Santa Maria and 27.5 miles from Anaheim.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43 miles (69.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 3:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.02 one way or $22.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Maria and Mostly Sunny near Anaheim.
Stop Ideas Near Los Angeles
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of South El Monte City Hall
City of Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
Pasadena, California
Westchester, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Maria and Anaheim. Straight-line distance: 42.99 mi (69.19 km).
#1 Santa Maria
The third most populous city in Santa Barbara County, California.
| Population | 105,851 |
| Coordinates | 34.1314000, -118.5745300 |
| Altitude | 426 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Anaheim
The second most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Anaheim metropolitan area.
| Population | 353,676 |
| Coordinates | 33.8352900, -117.9145000 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-117.914539, 33.835404)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 87 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $11.02 | $22.04 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $11.59 | $23.17 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $11.92 | $23.85 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $14.45 | $28.91 |
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.