How far is Templeton, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
Fastest route
The distance from Templeton, California, to Santa Ana, California is approximately 245 miles (394 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 3 hours and 55 minutes. The fastest route is via CA-46 E and I-5 S.
Directions
- 🚗 Get on I-5 S in Kern County from CA-46 E.
- 🛣️ Head southeast toward S Main St.
- ➡️ Turn right onto the U.S. 101 S ramp.
- ➡️ Use the right lane to take the CA-46 ramp to Fresno/Bakersfield.
- ➡️ Slight right to stay on CA-46 E.
- ➡️ Use the right lane to take the ramp onto I-5 S.
- 🛣️ Follow I-5 S to Main St in Santa Ana. Take exit 105B from I-5 S.
- ➡️ Keep left to stay on I-5 S, follow signs for CA-60 E/Interstate 5 S/Soto St/Santa Ana.
- ➡️ Take exit 105B for Main St.
- 🛣️ Pass by El Pollo Loco (on the left in 0.3 mi).
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚦 Check the traffic conditions before starting your journey to choose the fastest route.
- ⛽ Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel for the entire trip, especially for long stretches of highway.
- 🍴 Plan for rest stops and meal breaks along the way to stay refreshed during the journey.
- 🛣️ Familiarize yourself with the route in advance, or use a reliable GPS navigation system to avoid getting lost.
- 🕑 Consider starting your journey early in the day to avoid peak traffic hours and potential delays.
- 🚗 Regularly check your vehicle's tires, brakes, and other essential components before embarking on a long trip.
- 📱 Keep a fully charged phone with you and bring a car charger for emergencies or for using navigation apps.
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 27m.
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 Monterey 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 Templeton and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Templeton and Santa Ana.
-
1
Start on the route
49 m · 17 sec
-
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
-
3
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North
913 ft · 22 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto El Camino Real
5.1 mi · 6 min · El Camino Real
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward CA 46 East: Fresno, Bakersfield
1044 ft · 28 sec
-
6
Turn right
24.4 mi · 29 min
-
7
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
8
Turn slight right
149 m · 6 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Antelope Road
5.3 mi · 7 min · Antelope Road
-
10
Continue on Paso Robles Highway
32.3 mi · 39 min · Paso Robles Highway
-
11
Take the exit slight right
2047 ft · 25 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
56.8 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Westside Freeway
-
13
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
-
16
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
-
18
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
-
21
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
-
22
Turn straight onto North Broadway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
-
23
Turn left onto West 5th Street
639 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
-
24
Turn right onto North Main Street
1209 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
-
25
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Templeton and Santa Ana.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Westside Freeway
Keep slight right
58.3 mi · 01h 07m
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 Templeton and Sunny near Santa Ana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Templeton to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 250.4 miles (402.9 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?
Greenfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.4 miles from Templeton and 127.9 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 203.9 miles (328.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.5 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 8:06 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.28 one way or $110.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Templeton and Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Greenfield
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 Greenfield.
Bakersfield
Wasco station
Tehachapi, California
Mojave, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Templeton and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 203.85 mi (328.07 km).
#1 Templeton
Located in inland San Luis Obispo County at an elevation of 807 feet, this unincorporated community is situated along the Salinas River between Atascadero and Paso Robles.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.5496900, -120.7060000 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Santa Ana
The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.
| Population | 331,301 |
| Coordinates | 33.7455700, -117.8678300 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 1st Street (-117.86783, 33.745553)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 403 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $55.28 | $110.57 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $57.39 | $114.77 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $59.06 | $118.13 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $74.29 | $148.57 |
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