Palmdale to Santa Cruz: Road Trip Guide & Distance

274.8 miles 442.2 km · straight line
343.5 miles estimated 552.8 km · driving distance
6h 55min estimated drive time
$33 - $41 estimated fuel cost
~1h 3min flight time
308° NW bearing direction

How far is Palmdale from Santa Cruz?

The distance from Palmdale to Santa Cruz is 274.8 miles (442.2 km) as the crow flies. Santa Cruz is located NW of Palmdale. By car, the driving distance is approximately 343.5 miles, taking about 6h 55min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 3min. 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. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Palmdale and Santa Cruz. 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.

How to Get from Palmdale to Santa Cruz

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 6h 55min $33 - $41 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 3min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~8h 18min $27–$52* Budget
Train ~6h 34min $41–$120* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Palmdale & Santa Cruz

Quick Facts

Palmdale
34.58°N, 118.12°W
America/Los_Angeles
810m elevation
Santa Cruz
36.97°N, 122.03°W
America/Los_Angeles
9m elevation
Explore more routes from Santa Cruz

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 92 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 23 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 90.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients