How far is Del Mar, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Del Mar, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 71.2 miles (114.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.5 miles (103.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 45m 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 22m.
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.
The most populous city in Orange County, 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 Del Mar and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Del Mar and Santa Ana.
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1
Start on Camino del Mar
747 ft · 34 sec · Camino del Mar
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2
Turn left onto 13th Street
41 m · 8 sec · 13th Street
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3
Turn right
57 m · 16 sec
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4
Turn right onto Camino del Mar
2499 ft · 2 min · Camino del Mar
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Jimmy Durante Boulevard
2537 ft · 1 min · Jimmy Durante Boulevard
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Jimmy Durante Boulevard
25 m · 2 sec · Jimmy Durante Boulevard
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Jimmy Durante Boulevard
1.3 km · 1 min · Jimmy Durante Boulevard
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8
Turn slight right
127 m · 9 sec
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9
Turn slight right onto Via de la Valle
986 ft · 19 sec · Via de la Valle
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10
Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 North
1036 ft · 27 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
30.3 mi · 36 min · San Diego Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
18.1 mi · 21 min · San Diego Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · San Diego Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Bake Parkway
1.6 mi · 2 min
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15
Keep slight right
6 mi · 7 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Jamboree Road
1266 ft · 17 sec
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17
Continue straight
527 ft · 11 sec
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18
Turn right onto Jamboree Road
760 ft · 18 sec · Jamboree Road
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19
Turn left onto El Camino Real
2.2 mi · 5 min · El Camino Real
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20
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · Newport Avenue
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21
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward First Street, Fourth Street
768 ft · 10 sec
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on First Street
1147 ft · 15 sec
-
25
Turn straight onto Mabury Street
88 m · 10 sec · Mabury Street
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26
Turn right onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Del Mar 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.
San Diego Freeway
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
30.3 mi · 00h 36m
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 Del Mar 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 Del Mar to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 71.2 miles (114.6 km) and usually takes 01h 22m 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?
San Clemente is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.9 miles from Del Mar and 35.4 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.5 miles (103.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 3:44 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.48 one way or $28.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Del Mar and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near San Clemente
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
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Doheny State Beach Campground
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.
San Clemente Pier station
San Juan Capistrano
Irvine Transportation Center
Oceanside Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Del Mar and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 64.49 mi (103.79 km).
#1 Del Mar
City in California
| Population | 4,304 |
| Coordinates | 32.9594900, -117.2653100 |
| Altitude | 34 |
| 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: 115 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $14.48 | $28.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $15.23 | $30.45 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $15.67 | $31.34 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $18.99 | $37.99 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.