How far is Dana Point, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Dana Point, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 28 miles (45.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.6 miles (34.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 California
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 Dana Point and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dana Point and Santa Ana.
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1
Start on Golden Lantern Street
544 ft · 18 sec · Golden Lantern Street
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2
Turn left onto Del Prado Avenue
1217 ft · 34 sec · Del Prado Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Pacific Coast Highway
1992 ft · 54 sec · Pacific Coast Highway
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4
Turn left onto Del Obispo Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Del Obispo Street
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5
Turn right onto Stonehill Drive
3047 ft · 1 min · Stonehill Drive
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
2113 ft · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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10
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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12
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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13
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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14
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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15
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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16
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward First Street, Fourth Street
768 ft · 10 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on First Street
1147 ft · 15 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Mabury Street
88 m · 10 sec · Mabury Street
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21
Turn right onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dana Point and Santa Ana.
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.
San Diego Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.44 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Dana Point 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 Dana Point to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 28 miles (45.1 km) and usually takes 00h 32m 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?
Laguna Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.9 miles from Dana Point and 14.1 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.6 miles (34.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.71 one way or $11.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Dana Point and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Laguna Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Laguna Hills.
Irvine Transportation Center
San Juan Capistrano
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
San Clemente Pier station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dana Point and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 21.59 mi (34.74 km).
#1 Dana Point
City in California, US
| Population | 33,436 |
| Coordinates | 33.4669700, -117.6981100 |
| Altitude | 44 |
| 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: 45 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $5.71 | $11.42 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.01 | $12.01 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.18 | $12.36 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $7.49 | $14.98 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.