Big Sur to Santa Maria: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Big Sur from Santa Maria?

The distance from Big Sur to Santa Maria is 119.3 miles (192 km) as the crow flies. Santa Maria is located SE of Big Sur. By car, the driving distance is approximately 149.1 miles, taking about 3h 0min. A direct flight would take roughly 44min. Both are located in United States.

For a drive of this length, it's recommended to plan at least one quick rest stop to stretch your legs and grab a coffee. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Big Sur and Santa Maria. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.