How far is Santa Ynez, CA from Alameda, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Ynez, CA to Alameda, CA is about 286.9 miles (461.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.7 miles (401.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 19m 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 39m.
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 California, named after its founder, Charles King
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ynez and Alameda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ynez and Alameda.
-
1
Start on Tivola Street
573 ft · 27 sec · Tivola Street
-
2
Turn right onto Edison Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Edison Street
-
3
Continue on Edison Street
40 m · 3 sec · Edison Street
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Chumash Highway
75 m · 4 sec · Chumash Highway
-
5
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
6.3 mi · 10 min · Chumash Highway
-
6
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North
1138 ft · 31 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
229.6 mi · 4 hr 25 min
-
8
Keep slight left
12.2 mi · 14 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 880 North: Oakland
1188 ft · 29 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Nimitz Freeway
7.3 mi · 8 min · Nimitz Freeway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Nimitz Freeway
12.6 mi · 15 min · Nimitz Freeway
-
12
Keep slight left
14.7 mi · 16 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward 29th Avenue, Fruitvale Avenue
802 ft · 23 sec
-
14
At the end of the road, turn left onto 29th Avenue
828 ft · 22 sec · 29th Avenue
-
15
Turn right onto Ford Street
109 m · 14 sec · Ford Street
-
16
Turn sharp left onto 23rd Avenue
574 ft · 12 sec · 23rd Avenue
-
17
Continue on Park Street Bridge
1.1 km · 2 min · Park Street Bridge
-
18
Turn right onto Central Avenue
2317 ft · 2 min · Central Avenue
-
19
Turn left onto Willow Street
110 m · 14 sec · Willow Street
-
20
Turn right onto Alameda Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Alameda Avenue
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Alameda Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ynez and Alameda.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 101 North
Merge slight left
230 mi · 04h 25m
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.
Sunny leaving Santa Ynez and Sunny near Alameda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Ynez to Alameda?
The road trip is about 286.9 miles (461.8 km) and usually takes 05h 39m 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?
King City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.4 miles from Santa Ynez and 143.5 miles from Alameda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.7 miles (401.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.2 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 5:40 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $63.42 one way or $126.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Ynez and Sunny near Alameda.
Stop Ideas Near King City
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 King City.
King City, California
Salinas station
Paso Robles station
Carmel, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ynez and Alameda. Straight-line distance: 249.69 mi (401.84 km).
#1 Santa Ynez
Town in Santa Barbara County, California, United States
| Population | 4,418 |
| Coordinates | 34.6144300, -120.0798700 |
| Altitude | 185 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alameda
A city in Alameda County, California.
| Population | 78,841 |
| Coordinates | 37.7709900, -122.2608700 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alameda (-122.26087, 37.77099)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 462 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $63.42 | $126.85 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $65.83 | $131.67 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $67.76 | $135.52 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $85.22 | $170.45 |
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