How far is Anaheim, CA from Santa Monica, CA?
The driving distance from Anaheim, CA to Santa Monica, CA is about 40 miles (64.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.4 miles (57 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m 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 00h 50m.
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.
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Anaheim and Santa Monica.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim and Santa Monica.
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1
Start on the route
61 m · 17 sec
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2
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
129 m · 22 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.6 km · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue
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4
Turn left onto I 5 North: Los Angeles
887 ft · 14 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
1201 ft · 16 sec · Golden State Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 West: Santa Monica
1857 ft · 45 sec
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9
Merge slight right onto Pomona Freeway
1.4 km · 56 sec · Pomona Freeway
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10
Merge slight right onto Santa Monica Freeway
3 mi · 4 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Monica Freeway
12.4 mi · 14 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 1 South: Lincoln Boulevard
1062 ft · 26 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Olympic Boulevard
146 m · 15 sec · Olympic Boulevard
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14
Turn right onto Lincoln Boulevard
2126 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Anaheim and Santa Monica.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 00h 21m
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.
Sunny leaving Anaheim and Sunny near Santa Monica.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Anaheim to Santa Monica?
The road trip is about 40 miles (64.4 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
East Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20 miles from Anaheim and 20 miles from Santa Monica.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.4 miles (57 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 4:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.13 one way or $16.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Anaheim and Sunny near Santa Monica.
Stop Ideas Near East Los Angeles
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 East Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Union Station
Pasadena, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Westchester, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Anaheim and Santa Monica. Straight-line distance: 35.42 mi (57.01 km).
#1 Anaheim
The second most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Anaheim metropolitan area.
| Population | 353,676 |
| Coordinates | 33.8352900, -117.9145000 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Santa Monica
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 90,024 |
| Coordinates | 34.0194500, -118.4911900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Monica (-118.49119, 34.01945)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.13 | $16.27 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.55 | $17.11 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.80 | $17.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.67 | $21.34 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.