How far is Fullerton, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance from Fullerton, CA to Irvine, CA is about 21.3 miles (34.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15 miles (24.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 55m 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 27m.
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 most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana 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 Fullerton and Irvine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fullerton and Irvine.
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1
Start on West Commonwealth Avenue
95 m · 13 sec · West Commonwealth Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Harbor Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Harbor Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto CA 91 East: Riverside Freeway, Anaheim Boulevard, Lemon Street
1380 ft · 33 sec
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4
Continue on CA 91 East
1793 ft · 48 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Riverside Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 North, CA 57 South: Pomona, Santa Ana
940 ft · 23 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on CA 57 South: Santa Ana
1998 ft · 49 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Orange Freeway
4.4 mi · 5 min · Orange Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Santa Ana
1.1 mi · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
2131 ft · 28 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: John Wayne Airport
3019 ft · 39 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South
775 ft · 10 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Diego Freeway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fullerton and Irvine.
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.
Orange Freeway
Merge slight left onto Orange Freeway
4.37 mi · 00h 05m
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 Fullerton and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fullerton to Irvine?
The road trip is about 21.3 miles (34.2 km) and usually takes 00h 27m 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?
Santa Ana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.1 miles from Fullerton and 11.2 miles from Irvine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15 miles (24.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 7:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.33 one way or $8.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fullerton and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Ana
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
bamboo house
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Ana.
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Irvine Transportation Center
Fullerton Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fullerton and Irvine. Straight-line distance: 15.07 mi (24.25 km).
#1 Fullerton
The eighth most populous city in Orange County, California.
| Population | 139,921 |
| Coordinates | 33.8702900, -117.9253400 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-117.823114, 33.669436)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.33 | $8.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.55 | $9.10 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $4.68 | $9.36 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $5.68 | $11.35 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.