How far is Stockton, CA from Buellton, CA?
The driving distance from Stockton, CA to Buellton, CA is about 306.1 miles (492.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 239 miles (384.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 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 53m.
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 Kings County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Stockton and Buellton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stockton and Buellton.
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1
Start on East Fremont Street
153 m · 31 sec · East Fremont Street
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2
Turn left onto North Center Street
2615 ft · 1 min · North Center Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1823 ft · 44 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
1 km · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
12.9 mi · 14 min · Westside Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Westside Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
138.4 mi · 2 hr 28 min · Westside Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 269: Lassen Avenue
1419 ft · 37 sec
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9
Turn right onto South Lassen Avenue
2081 ft · 34 sec · South Lassen Avenue
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10
Continue on Skyline Boulevard
5.6 mi · 9 min · Skyline Boulevard
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Laneva Boulevard
9.3 mi · 13 min · East Laneva Boulevard
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12
Turn right
18.7 mi · 25 min
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13
Keep slight right
2.1 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight right
24.5 mi · 29 min
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15
Take the exit left toward US 101
940 ft · 23 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
28.6 mi · 33 min · El Camino Real
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17
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
11.8 mi · 14 min · Cabrillo Highway
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18
Continue on El Camino Real
50.8 mi · 59 min · El Camino Real
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 246
854 ft · 25 sec
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20
Turn right
616 ft · 13 sec
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21
Turn right
88 m · 29 sec
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22
Turn sharp left
50 m · 12 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Stockton and Buellton.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Westside Freeway
138 mi · 02h 28m
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 Stockton and Sunny near Buellton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Stockton to Buellton?
The road trip is about 306.1 miles (492.6 km) and usually takes 05h 53m 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?
Avenal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153 miles from Stockton and 153 miles from Buellton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 239 miles (384.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.1 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 5:14 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $67.62 one way or $135.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Stockton and Sunny near Buellton.
Stop Ideas Near Avenal
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 Avenal.
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Corcoran station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Stockton and Buellton. Straight-line distance: 239 mi (384.64 km).
#1 Stockton
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Stockton metropolitan area.
| Population | 312,716 |
| Coordinates | 37.9577000, -121.2907800 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Buellton
City in Santa Barbara County, California
| Population | 5,449 |
| Coordinates | 34.6136000, -120.1926500 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buellton (-120.19265, 34.6136)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 493 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $67.62 | $135.24 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $70.19 | $140.38 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $72.24 | $144.48 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $90.86 | $181.72 |
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