How far is Santa Maria, CA from San Bernardino, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Maria, CA to San Bernardino, CA is about 248.6 miles (400.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 07m 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 33m.
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 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 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
2.9 mi · 3 min · Foothill Freeway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Foothill Freeway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Foothill Freeway
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Foothill Freeway
22.8 mi · 26 min · Foothill Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward I 215: Barstow, Riverside
1209 ft · 29 sec
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28
Keep slight right to continue on I 215 South: Riverside
3196 ft · 1 min
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29
Merge slight left onto Barstow Freeway
1033 ft · 14 sec · Barstow Freeway
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30
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward CA 66 West: 5th Street, Civic Center
1873 ft · 53 sec
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32
Turn left onto West 5th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West 5th Street
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33
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.
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 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 248.6 miles (400.1 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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 106.4 miles from Santa Maria and 142.2 miles from San Bernardino.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.3 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 7:52 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.91 one way or $109.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Santa Maria and Sunny near San Bernardino.
Stop Ideas Near Camarillo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bella Capri Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites Camarillo
City of Thousand Oaks
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 San Bernardino. Straight-line distance: 188.33 mi (303.09 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 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: 400 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $54.91 | $109.82 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $57.00 | $113.99 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $58.66 | $117.33 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $73.78 | $147.56 |
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