Santa Barbara, CA → Portland, OR
783 mi · 15h 39m (driving)
Current Risk
Medium Risk
Beach Hazards Statement in effect along your route
Santa Barbara
72°
Merced County
56°
Plumas County
39°
Klamath County
34°
Portland
55°
Trip Briefing
4 segments · 783 mi · 15h 39m
Weather
☀️ Clear sky
56°F, wind 4 mph
Rest Stops
6
Restrooms, water, Vending
Cameras
3 live
Clear driving conditions expected
Rest stops in this segment:
- ● Gaviota Rest Area 🚻 🥤 🪑
- ● Gaviota Rest Area 🚻 🥤 🪑
- ● Rest Area 🚻
Weather May Slow Traffic
Active weather advisory — expect slower travel
Traffic Cameras
See recent road conditions along your route
Images are snapshots updated periodically by state DOTs. Timestamps shown in images indicate when each photo was captured.
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Selected Route
Via US-101 North → I-680 North → I-80 East → I-505 North
Cameras shown are along this computed route
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US-101 - US-101 : Garden Street - North
Santa Barbara, CA · NB
US-101 - US-101 : Camino Mercado - North
Arroyo Grande, CA · NB
US-101 - US-101 : Airport Blvd - North
Salinas, CA · NB
US-101 - US-101 : Boronda Road - North
Salinas, CA · NB
CA-580 - TVF02 -- I-580 : I-680 - North
Dublin, CA · NB
I-5 - Hwy 5 at Williams NB
Williams, CA ·
I-5 - Red Bluff
Red Bluff, CA ·
I-5 - Sugarloaf
Lakehead, CA ·
I-5 California at Hilt
OR ·
I-5 at Sexton Summit
OR ·
I-5 at Rice Hill
OR ·
I-5 at OR34
OR ·
Rest Stops Along Your Route
60 stops available
Swipe to see moreShowing 1-2 of 60
Get Weather Alerts for This Route
We'll notify you when conditions change before your trip. Never drive into a surprise storm again.
⚡ Recent Weather Events on This Route
Premium users received alerts for these conditions:
- 🌧️Sep 27: Rain advisory for afternoon departures
- ❄️Sep 25: Snow expected at higher elevations - consider earlier departure
- 🌫️Sep 22: Dense fog warning for morning travel
Don't miss the next alert →
Driving from Santa Barbara, CA to Portland, OR covers 783 miles in roughly 15h 39m of drive time, crossing state lines. We track 12 live traffic cameras, 60 rest areas and 1 active weather alert along this corridor so you can plan around them. On a drive this length, weather can change dramatically between stops. Use the segment-by-segment forecast below to time your route.
7-Day Driving Outlook
Today
Sep 29
94° / 62°
No precip
Tomorrow
Sep 30
94° / 66°
No precip
Thu
Oct 1
89° / 68°
No precip
Fri
Oct 2
93° / 71°
No precip
Sat
Oct 3
98° / 73°
No precip
Sun
Oct 4
99° / 72°
No precip
Mon
Oct 5
98° / 73°
No precip
🗓️ Weekend Outlook
Saturday
Good to Go🌤️ Mainly clear at origin, ☀️ Clear sky at destination
Sunday
Good to Go☀️ Clear sky at origin, 🌤️ Mainly clear at destination
Plan This Route
Get hour-by-hour weather forecasts, real-time traffic, and find the optimal departure time.
🚗 Live traffic included
See if current slowdowns affect your drive time
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Current Conditions
Santa Barbara, CA
72°F
Wind: 15 mph
Portland, OR
55°F
Wind: 6 mph
Weather data updated in real-time
Driving from Santa Barbara, CA to Portland, OR
The 783-mile drive from Santa Barbara, California to Portland, Oregon takes approximately 15h 39m under normal conditions. Weather along this route can vary significantly, especially through mountainous terrain where elevation changes can bring sudden weather shifts. Route Outlook helps you find the safest time to travel by showing you weather conditions at every point along your route, timed to when you'll actually be there.
This long-distance route crosses state lines from California into Oregon, connecting Santa Barbara and Portland. Covering 783 miles, this is a substantial drive that will take you through diverse terrain and weather patterns. Planning ahead with real-time conditions along the entire route — not just at your destination — is essential for a safe trip.
Common Weather Hazards on This Route
- Dense fog, especially during early morning hours
- Extreme heat and dust storms in desert regions
- Flash floods during monsoon season (July through September)
Seasonal Driving Considerations
Mountain passes along this corridor can be treacherous from October through May, with chain requirements, road closures, and whiteout conditions at higher elevations. Summer brings its own challenges — afternoon thunderstorms are common above 7,000 feet, and construction season narrows lanes on key highways. Always check pass conditions before departing, and carry emergency supplies during the colder months.
Best Time to Drive Santa Barbara to Portland
For long drives like this 783-mile journey, planning is essential. Consider breaking the trip into segments if weather looks challenging. The best approach is to check conditions for multiple departure times using Route Outlook's optimizer, which considers weather at each point when you'll actually be there.
Driving Strategy
Covering 783 miles from Santa Barbara to Portland is a full-day or multi-day drive that requires advance planning. Break the route into manageable segments, planning fuel and rest stops every 2-3 hours. Weather that looks fine at departure may deteriorate significantly at the midpoint. Consider booking overnight accommodation if the forecast shows deteriorating conditions in the latter half. Route Outlook's segment-level weather data helps you identify exactly where and when conditions will change.
Pro Tip
Use Route Outlook's departure optimizer to find the best time to leave. Our 4D trajectory engine considers weather at each point along your route at the exact time you'll be there — not just at your destination. It also integrates live data from traffic cameras, DOT 511 feeds, and road weather sensors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Santa Barbara to Portland?
The drive is approximately 783 miles and takes about 15h 39m under normal traffic and weather conditions. Severe weather can add significant time to your trip.
What's the best day to drive this route?
Based on current forecasts, Saturday, Oct 3 looks ideal. Clear conditions expected along the entire route
Is it safe to drive from Santa Barbara to Portland today?
Current conditions show medium risk along this route. Conditions look favorable for travel. Always stay alert and adjust speed for changing conditions.
Are there rest areas on the Santa Barbara to Portland route?
Yes, there are 60 rest areas along this route. Facilities include restrooms, parking, and in some cases picnic areas and vending machines. Rest stops are spaced throughout the drive, so you'll never be too far from a break.
Can I see live traffic cameras on this route?
Yes, Route Outlook shows 12 live traffic cameras along this route, sourced from state DOT feeds. You can check road visibility, traffic flow, and pavement conditions in real time before and during your drive.
What highways does this route use?
This route primarily uses Other. Conditions can vary between highway segments, so check live camera feeds and road condition reports for each stretch before departing.
Are there any road closures on this route right now?
No significant incidents or road closures are currently reported along this route. Conditions can change quickly — this page updates automatically with the latest data from state DOT 511 systems.
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🛡️Road Safety Features: Real-Time Conditions for Your Route
Real-time traffic incidents from 12 states, highway message signs, road conditions, and 25,000+ traffic cameras--integrated into your route planning.
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