How far is Altadena, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Altadena, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.2 miles (55 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 01h 05m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Altadena and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altadena and Santa Ana.
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1
Start on North Lake Avenue
2.6 mi · 6 min · North Lake Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Maple Street
12 m · 1 sec · East Maple Street
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3
Take the ramp slight left toward I 210 West: San Fernando
1227 ft · 32 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
2074 ft · 27 sec · Foothill Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Ventura Freeway
1810 ft · 24 sec · Ventura Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Del Mar Boulevard, California Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Long Beach Freeway
3218 ft · 52 sec · Long Beach Freeway
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8
Continue on South Saint John Avenue
1975 ft · 41 sec · South Saint John Avenue
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9
Turn straight onto South Pasadena Avenue
2358 ft · 56 sec · South Pasadena Avenue
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Columbia Street
53 m · 8 sec · Columbia Street
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11
Turn right onto Fremont Avenue
3.3 mi · 8 min · Fremont Avenue
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12
Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard
3146 ft · 1 min · West Valley Boulevard
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13
Turn left onto Long Beach Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Long Beach Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 5 South: Santa Ana
1984 ft · 48 sec
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15
Merge slight right onto Santa Ana Freeway
23.5 mi · 27 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
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19
Turn straight onto North Broadway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
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20
Turn left onto West 5th Street
639 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
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21
Turn right onto North Main Street
1209 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
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22
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Altadena and Santa Ana.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Santa Ana Freeway
Merge slight right onto Santa Ana Freeway
23.5 mi · 00h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Altadena 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 Altadena to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km) and usually takes 01h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Santa Fe Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Altadena and 28.3 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.2 miles (55 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.86 one way or $19.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Altadena and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Fe Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of South El Monte City Hall
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Los ANgeles city Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Fe Springs.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station
Long Beach, California
Pasadena, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Altadena and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 34.2 mi (55.04 km).
#1 Altadena
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 42,777 |
| Coordinates | 34.1897300, -118.1311800 |
| Altitude | 414 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Santa Ana
The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.
| Population | 331,301 |
| Coordinates | 33.7455700, -117.8678300 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 1st Street (-117.86783, 33.745553)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.86 | $19.73 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.37 | $20.75 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.68 | $21.35 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $12.94 | $25.88 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.