How far is Santa Maria, CA from San Bernardino, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Maria, CA to San Bernardino, CA is about 86.1 miles (138.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.5 miles (118.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 56m 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 58m.
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 San Bernardino.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Maria and San Bernardino.
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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 left to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Ventura Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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16
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
22.8 mi · 26 min · Foothill Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 215: Barstow, Riverside
1209 ft · 29 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 215 South: Riverside
3196 ft · 1 min
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24
Merge slight left onto Barstow Freeway
1033 ft · 14 sec · Barstow Freeway
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25
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward CA 66 West: 5th Street, Civic Center
1873 ft · 53 sec
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27
Turn left onto West 5th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West 5th Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Maria and San Bernardino.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
22.8 mi · 00h 26m
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 San Bernardino.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Maria to San Bernardino?
The road trip is about 86.1 miles (138.5 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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 41.4 miles from Santa Maria and 44.6 miles from San Bernardino.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.5 miles (118.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 2:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.54 one way or $35.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Maria and Sunny near San Bernardino.
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 San Bernardino. Straight-line distance: 73.5 mi (118.29 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 San Bernardino
The second most populous city in San Bernardino County, California.
| Population | 217,491 |
| Coordinates | 34.1083400, -117.2897700 |
| Altitude | 321 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 5th Street (-117.289794, 34.108326)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 138 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $17.54 | $35.08 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $18.44 | $36.88 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $18.98 | $37.96 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $23.00 | $46.01 |
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.