How far is Santa Maria, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Maria, CA to Riverside, CA is about 226.1 miles (363.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 186.4 miles (300 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
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 15m.
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.
The most populous city in Ventura County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
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 East Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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2
Turn right onto South Bradley Road
62 m · 5 sec · South Bradley Road
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3
Take the ramp slight left
1092 ft · 27 sec
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4
Merge slight left
25 mi · 29 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward CA 154: Los Olivos, Lake Cachuma
1266 ft · 39 sec
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6
Turn left onto Chumash Highway
6.4 mi · 10 min · Chumash Highway
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
39 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Chumash Highway
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
35 m · 2 sec · Chumash Highway
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10
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
23.9 mi · 33 min · Chumash Highway
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11
Take the ramp slight left toward US 101 South
1206 ft · 32 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
17 mi · 20 min · El Camino Real
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13
Continue on Ventura Freeway
70.5 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Ventura Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.6 km · 1 min · Ventura Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Ventura Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Ventura Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway
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21
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
17.9 mi · 21 min · Foothill Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
2476 ft · 33 sec · Foothill Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1.4 km · 2 min
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24
Continue on Orange Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Orange Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward CA 71: Corona
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
26
Continue on Chino Valley Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Chino Valley Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward CA 60 East: Riverside
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
28
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Pomona Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Van Buren Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue
2448 ft · 1 min
-
30
Turn straight onto Mission Boulevard
852 ft · 15 sec · Mission Boulevard
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31
Continue on Van Buren Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · Van Buren Boulevard
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32
Turn left onto Central Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Central Avenue
-
33
Turn sharp right
52 m · 13 sec
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34
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.
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.
Mostly Clear 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 226.1 miles (363.8 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
Camarillo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.5 miles from Santa Maria and 120.5 miles from Riverside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 186.4 miles (300 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.7 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 PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:28 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.96 one way or $99.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Santa Maria and Sunny near Riverside.
Stop Ideas Near Camarillo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Hampton Inn & Suites Camarillo
Ventura City Hall (formerly the Ventura County Courthouse - California Historical Landmark #847)
San Buenaventura City Hall
Santa Paula City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Camarillo.
Camarillo station
Oxnard Transportation Center
Santa Paula, California
Moorpark
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Maria and Riverside. Straight-line distance: 186.43 mi (300.03 km).
#1 Santa Maria
Situated in northern Santa Barbara County at an elevation of 220 feet, this city lies within a wide coastal valley between the Pacific Ocean and inland mountain ranges.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.9530300, -120.4357200 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| 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: 364 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $49.96 | $99.93 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $51.86 | $103.72 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $53.38 | $106.76 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $67.14 | $134.27 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026