How far is Santa Maria, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Maria, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 325.8 miles (524.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 257.4 miles (414.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 46m 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 05h 23m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Maria and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Maria and Sacramento.
-
1
Start on East Main Street
658 ft · 19 sec · East Main Street
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2
Continue on East Main Street
727 ft · 25 sec · East Main Street
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3
Turn right onto North Broadway
2.2 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
-
4
Take the ramp straight
927 ft · 23 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
17.1 mi · 20 min · El Camino Real
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6
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
11.9 mi · 14 min · Cabrillo Highway
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7
Continue on El Camino Real
28.6 mi · 33 min · El Camino Real
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
1044 ft · 28 sec
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9
Turn right
24.4 mi · 29 min
-
10
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
11
Turn slight right
149 m · 6 sec
-
12
Keep slight right
19.4 mi · 26 min
-
13
Turn left
9.3 mi · 13 min
-
14
Turn right onto Skyline Boulevard
5.6 mi · 9 min · Skyline Boulevard
-
15
Continue on South Lassen Avenue
2873 ft · 52 sec · South Lassen Avenue
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16
Take the ramp left toward I 5 North
1031 ft · 25 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
126.3 mi · 2 hr 15 min · Westside Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Westside Freeway
25.5 mi · 28 min · Westside Freeway
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19
Keep left to continue on Westside Freeway
47.5 mi · 53 min · Westside Freeway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward J Street, Downtown
1300 ft · 34 sec
-
21
Turn right onto J Street
822 ft · 25 sec · J Street
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22
Turn left onto 5th Street
814 ft · 19 sec · 5th Street
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23
Turn right onto H Street
1602 ft · 40 sec · H Street
-
24
Turn right onto 9th Street
149 m · 15 sec · 9th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Maria and Sacramento.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
126 mi · 02h 15m
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 Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Maria to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 325.8 miles (524.4 km) and usually takes 05h 23m 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?
Mendota is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.9 miles from Santa Maria and 165 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 257.4 miles (414.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 68.4 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 6:14 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $72.00 one way or $144.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Santa Maria and Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Mendota
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mendota.
Madera
Fresno station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Merced station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Maria and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 257.46 mi (414.34 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 Sacramento
The sixth most populous city in California and the center of the Sacramento metropolitan area.
| Population | 512,838 |
| Coordinates | 38.5815700, -121.4944000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: 9th Street (-121.49442, 38.581575)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 524 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $72.00 | $144.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $74.74 | $149.48 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $76.92 | $153.85 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $96.75 | $193.50 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026