Traffic Predict

Best Time to Drive from Irvine to Santa Barbara

Right now (5:00 pm PDT): about 149 minutes via US-101 North and I-5 North, usually 142 at this time.

On weekdays the 135-mile drive from Irvine to Santa Barbara (via US-101 North and I-5 North) usually takes as little as 129 minutes and up to 176 minutes, when leaving around 3 pm on Fridays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 6:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 152 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 2 pm on Saturdays (152 minutes).

Drive times are measured from central Irvine (Harvard Avenue) to central Santa Barbara (Anacapa Street) along the route shown. Starting or ending elsewhere in a big city can add or save several minutes.

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Irvine to Santa Barbara by day and time you leave (local time)
Leave5am6am7am8am9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm4pm5pm6pm7pm8pm9pm
Mon133147152149145144145145147154159163155141132131129
Tue133152158154149146145144147155165171163146135131129
Wed134153158153149146145145149158168175167149136132129
Thu135152159154150147147147153163171176168149136132129
Fri133144150148148152154159170176176172163147136133129
Sat129131132136142148150150151152152147142137136133129
Sun128129129131134139142144146144143140138137137135129

Simulated from typical freeway speeds at each point of the drive for the time you would reach it, from every 5-minute reading we have recorded. Surface streets at each end are estimated.

Questions

What is the best time to drive from Irvine to Santa Barbara?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 6:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 129 minutes then, versus up to 176 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Santa Barbara?

The 135-mile drive usually takes 129 to 176 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 152 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Irvine to Santa Barbara?

Leaving around 3 pm on Fridays is usually slowest, about 176 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

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