How far is Aliso Viejo, CA from Santa Ana, CA?

The driving distance from Aliso Viejo, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 19.1 miles (30.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
19.05 mi
00h 25m
Flight
14.87 mi
23.93 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Aliso Viejo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
14.87 mi
Kilometers
23.93 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
19.05 mi
Kilometers
30.65 km
Drive Time
00h 25m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Santa Ana
Sat, Apr 18, 10:31 PM PDT
Return by in Aliso Viejo
Sat, Apr 18, 10:56 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Aliso Viejo
2026-04-18T22:05
Arrive Santa Ana
Sat, Apr 18, 10:31 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:26 AM to 7:26 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:38 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Aliso Viejo
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
San Joaquin Hills
CA

Census designated place

From Aliso Viejo
9.8 mi
00h 12m
To Santa Ana
9.3 mi
00h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
80°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Aliso Viejo and Santa Ana.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Aliso Viejo and Santa Ana.

  1. 1

    Start on Aliso Viejo Parkway

    699 ft · 19 sec · Aliso Viejo Parkway

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Aliso Creek Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Aliso Creek Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward CA 73 Toll North

    1914 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    9.5 mi · 11 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  5. 5

    Continue on Corona Del Mar Freeway

    2 mi · 2 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 North

    2898 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 55 North: Anaheim, Riverside

    836 ft · 20 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Costa Mesa Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MacArthur Boulevard, Main Street

    955 ft · 13 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on MacArthur Boulevard, Main Street

    129 m · 7 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto MacArthur Boulevard

    2692 ft · 57 sec · MacArthur Boulevard

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    3.1 mi · 6 min · South Main Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West 1st Street

    30 m · 9 sec · West 1st Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Aliso Viejo and Santa Ana.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
73.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
9.54 mi · 50%
South Main Street
3.13 mi · 16%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
2.05 mi · 11%
Costa Mesa Freeway
1.65 mi · 9%
Aliso Creek Road
1.22 mi · 6%
MacArthur Boulevard
0.77 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

9.54 mi · 00h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 25m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.2 mi
14.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Joaquin Hills
00h 12m from Aliso Viejo
Leave By
7:38 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Aliso Viejo and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Aliso Viejo to Santa Ana?

The road trip is about 19.1 miles (30.7 km) and usually takes 00h 25m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

San Joaquin Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.8 miles from Aliso Viejo and 9.3 miles from Santa Ana.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.87 one way or $7.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Aliso Viejo and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.

Stop Ideas Near San Joaquin Hills

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around San Joaquin Hills and the surrounding midpoint area.
Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort
Stay option 12.7 mi away

Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort

Dana Point , CA
1 Monarch Beach Resort N a, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Spa,Day spa,Massage spa,Massage therapist,Resort hotel,Spa and health club
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 4.8 mi away

Newport Beach Municipal Operations

Newport Beach , CA
592 Superior Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Government office,Park
City of Lake Forest
Practical stop 9.9 mi away

City of Lake Forest

San Joaquin Hills
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Meeting point 7.8 mi away

City of Tustin Parks & Recreation

Tustin , CA
300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780, United States
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Joaquin Hills.

Transit stop coverage is not ready for this midpoint yet.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Aliso Viejo and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 14.87 mi (23.93 km).

Aliso Viejo

#1 Aliso Viejo

A city in Orange County, California.

Population50,412
Coordinates33.5650400, -117.7271200
Altitude143
CountryUnited States
Santa Ana

#2 Santa Ana

The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.

Population331,301
Coordinates33.7455700, -117.8678300
Altitude35
CountryUnited States
Start: Aliso Viejo Parkway (-117.727076, 33.565096)
End: West 1st Street (-117.86783, 33.745553)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 31 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.67 gal
2.54 L · about $3.87
Round trip
$7.73
1.34 gal · 5.08 L
Estimated CO2
6 kg one way
Round trip: 11.9 kg / 26 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $3.87 $7.73
Mid-grade $6.07 $4.06 $8.13
Premium $6.24 $4.18 $8.37
Diesel $7.57 $5.07 $10.14

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in California · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Aliso Viejo and Santa Ana. The current time is 22:05:47.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.