How far is Santa Maria, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA is about 281.4 miles (452.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 243.1 miles (391.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 10m 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 05m.
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.
Located in the central San Fernando Valley, this Los Angeles neighborhood is a densely populated area.
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 San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Maria and San Diego.
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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
65.2 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Ventura Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North, I 405 South: Sacramento, Santa Monica
758 ft · 19 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South: San Diego Freeway, Santa Monica
1584 ft · 39 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South: San Diego Freeway
553 ft · 14 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
13.3 mi · 15 min · San Diego Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
26.5 mi · 31 min · San Diego Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway
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21
Keep slight left
10.3 mi · 12 min
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway
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23
Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
10.3 mi · 12 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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24
Take the exit slight right toward La Paz Road, Moulton Parkway
133 m · 6 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South: Moulton Parkway
2519 ft · 33 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on CA 73 South
3218 ft · 42 sec
-
27
Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
2.5 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
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28
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
67.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · San Diego Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Front Street, Civic Center, 2nd Avenue
1164 ft · 28 sec
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30
Keep slight right to continue on Front Street, Civic Center
592 ft · 15 sec
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31
Continue on Front Street
2662 ft · 2 min · Front Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Maria and San Diego.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Diego Freeway
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
67.8 mi · 01h 19m
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 Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Maria to San Diego?
The road trip is about 281.4 miles (452.9 km) and usually takes 05h 05m 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?
Van Nuys is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.2 miles from Santa Maria and 141.2 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 243.1 miles (391.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.3 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 6:50 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $62.17 one way or $124.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Santa Maria and Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Van Nuys
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Beverly Hilton
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
Calabasas City Hall
Platinum Banquet Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Van Nuys.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Maria and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 243.15 mi (391.32 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 Diego
The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,422,420 |
| Coordinates | 32.7157100, -117.1647200 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-117.164717, 32.71571)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 453 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $62.17 | $124.34 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $64.54 | $129.07 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $66.42 | $132.84 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $83.54 | $167.08 |
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