Origin
Santa Ana, CA
Evening in Santa Ana on Friday
Local time
7:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Santa Ana, CA to Cambria, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 13m
Distance
255.8 mi
412 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 0m
★
6 AM
5h 14m
8 AM
5h 41m
10 AM
5h 23m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Santa Ana, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Cambria, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Santa Ana, CA to Cambria, CA covers 255.8 miles and takes about 5h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Broadway, West Santa Clara Avenue, I 5 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.79 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.9 miles from Santa Ana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 255.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 13m drive with frequent turns across 255.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Broadway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 13m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Santa Ana, CA to Cambria, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Broadway | — | — |
| West Santa Clara Avenue | — | — |
| I 5 North | — | — |
| Santa Ana Freeway | — | — |
| Golden State Freeway | — | — |
| CA 134 West | — | — |
| Ventura Freeway | — | — |
| El Camino Real | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Broadway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana, CA and Cambria, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
West 1st Street
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broadway
3
Turn right onto West Santa Clara Avenue
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West Santa Clara Avenue
4
Continue on I 5 North: Los Angeles
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 5 North: Los Angeles
5
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
6
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
7
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Golden State Freeway
8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura
9
Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
10
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ventura Freeway
11
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Ventura Freeway
12
Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway
55 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
Ventura Freeway
13
Keep slight left
18 mi
·
21 min
14
Continue on El Camino Real
16 mi
·
18 min
·
El Camino Real
15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 154: State Street, Cachuma Lake
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
CA 154: State Street, Cachuma Lake
16
Continue on Calle Real
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Calle Real
17
Turn right onto Chumash Highway
24 mi
·
33 min
·
Chumash Highway
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
115 ft
·
2 sec
·
Chumash Highway
19
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Chumash Highway
20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chumash Highway
141 ft
·
2 sec
·
Chumash Highway
21
Exit the roundabout onto Chumash Highway
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Chumash Highway
22
Take the ramp right toward US 101 North
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 101 North
23
Merge slight left
56 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
24
Take the exit slight right toward Osos Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Osos Street
25
Turn left onto Walnut Street
502 ft
·
24 sec
·
Walnut Street
26
Turn left onto Santa Rosa Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Santa Rosa Street
27
Continue on Cabrillo Highway
30 mi
·
38 min
·
Cabrillo Highway
28
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Main Street
29
Turn left onto Eton Road
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Eton Road
30
At the end of the road, turn left onto Eton Road
344 ft
·
8 sec
·
Eton Road
31
Continue on Burton Drive
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
Burton Drive
32
Turn right onto Village Lane
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Village Lane
33
Continue on Village Lane
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Village Lane
34
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 127.9 miles from Santa Ana, CA, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 56 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.9 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambria, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Santa Ana, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Santa Ana, CA
This is one driving day of about 255.8 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Santa Ana, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 127.9 mi from Santa Ana, CA · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.9 miles from Santa Ana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cambria, CA
The final approach into Cambria, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Cambria, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.79 one way
$117.59 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $60.59 | $121.17 |
| premium | $6.18 | $62.21 | $124.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.48 | $112.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.7 | 0 | $26.86 | $12.28 |
| Efficient EV | 64 | 0 | $22.38 | $10.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.3 | 1 | $35.81 | $16.37 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Cambria, CA
Evening in Cambria on Friday
Local time
7:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 13m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Santa Ana, CA to Cambria, CA covers 255.8 miles and takes about 5h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Broadway, West Santa Clara Avenue, I 5 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 127.9 miles from Santa Ana, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.79 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 13m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Santa Ana, CA to Cambria, CA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Santa Ana, CA to Cambria, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Cambria, CA
More trips to Cambria, CA
Explore more options from Santa Ana, CA or browse trips ending in Cambria, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.