How far is El Monte, CA from Santa Monica, CA?
The driving distance from El Monte, CA to Santa Monica, CA is about 28.8 miles (46.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.8 miles (43.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 13m 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 36m.
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.
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
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 El Monte and Santa Monica.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Monte and Santa Monica.
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1
Start on Valley Boulevard
3 m · 1 sec
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2
Turn right onto Valley Boulevard
61 m · 12 sec · Valley Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Peck Road
24 m · 2 sec · Peck Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
1198 ft · 31 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
11.6 mi · 13 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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6
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 110 South, CA 110 North: San Pedro, Pasadena
134 m · 11 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 110 South, CA 110 North: San Pedro, Pasadena
1039 ft · 25 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 110 South: Harbor Freeway, San Pedro
1862 ft · 49 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Harbor Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Harbor Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Santa Monica Freeway
1647 ft · 40 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: Washington Boulevard
1353 ft · 33 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Santa Monica
629 ft · 15 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 1 South: Lincoln Boulevard
1062 ft · 26 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Olympic Boulevard
146 m · 15 sec · Olympic Boulevard
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17
Turn right onto Lincoln Boulevard
2126 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between El Monte and Santa Monica.
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.
Santa Monica Freeway
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
12.2 mi · 00h 14m
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 El Monte and Mostly Sunny near Santa Monica.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from El Monte to Santa Monica?
The road trip is about 28.8 miles (46.3 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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?
Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.4 miles from El Monte and 14.4 miles from Santa Monica.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.8 miles (43.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 7:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.83 one way or $11.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around El Monte and Mostly Sunny near Santa Monica.
Stop Ideas Near 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 Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
Pasadena, California
Westchester, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between El Monte and Santa Monica. Straight-line distance: 26.76 mi (43.06 km).
#1 El Monte
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 112,344 |
| Coordinates | 34.0686200, -118.0275700 |
| Altitude | 91 |
| 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: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $5.83 | $11.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.13 | $12.25 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.31 | $12.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $7.64 | $15.29 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.