How far is Santa Maria, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Maria, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.7 miles (31.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 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 00h 49m.
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.
Located in the central San Fernando Valley, this Los Angeles neighborhood is a densely populated 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 Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Maria and Los Angeles.
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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
2207 ft · 1 min · Canoga Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Dumetz Road
2440 ft · 1 min · Dumetz Road
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto Serrania Avenue
2770 ft · 1 min · Serrania Avenue
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9
Continue on De Soto Avenue
141 m · 14 sec · De Soto Avenue
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10
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South: Ventura Freeway, Los Angeles
1490 ft · 22 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
11.9 mi · 14 min · Ventura Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Route 101
1 km · 44 sec · Route 101
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13
Merge slight left onto Hollywood Freeway
10.3 mi · 14 min · Hollywood Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
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15
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
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16
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
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17
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 14 sec · West 1st Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Maria and Los Angeles.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Ventura Freeway
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
11.9 mi · 00h 14m
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 Los Angeles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Maria to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?
Van Nuys is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.8 miles from Santa Maria and 17.2 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.7 miles (31.7 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 4:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.29 one way or $12.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Maria and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Van Nuys
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
City of Los Angeles
Topanga Canyon Town Council
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Van Nuys.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Maria and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 19.7 mi (31.71 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 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: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.61 | $13.22 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.80 | $13.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $8.25 | $16.50 |
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.