How far is Santa Maria, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Maria, CA to Riverside, CA is about 88.4 miles (142.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 68.6 miles (110.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 29m 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 44m.
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.
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Maria and Riverside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Maria and Riverside.
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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 left to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Ventura Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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19
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
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22
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi · 2 min
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24
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward CA 60 East: Riverside
1.4 mi · 3 min
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26
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
2448 ft · 1 min
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28
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
852 ft · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard
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29
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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30
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
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31
Turn sharp right
52 m · 13 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Maria and Riverside.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Foothill Freeway
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 mi · 00h 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 Maria and Sunny near Riverside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Maria to Riverside?
The road trip is about 88.4 miles (142.2 km) and usually takes 01h 44m 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?
Duarte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.4 miles from Santa Maria and 48 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 68.6 miles (110.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:00 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.00 one way or $36.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Maria and Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near Duarte
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Ayres Suites Diamond Bar
City of South El Monte City Hall
El Monte City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Duarte.
Pasadena, California
Pomona station
Claremont, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Maria and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 68.57 mi (110.36 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 Riverside
The most populous city in Riverside County, California and the center of the Riverside metropolitan area.
| Population | 330,786 |
| Coordinates | 33.9533500, -117.3961600 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-117.396162, 33.953244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 142 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $18.00 | $36.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $18.93 | $37.85 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $19.48 | $38.96 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $23.61 | $47.22 |
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.