How far is Glendale, CA from Santa Monica, CA?
The driving distance from Glendale, CA to Santa Monica, CA is about 24 miles (38.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16 miles (25.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 04m 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.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Glendale and Santa Monica.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale and Santa Monica.
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1
Start on South Brand Boulevard
13 m · 4 sec · South Brand Boulevard
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2
Turn right
64 m · 20 sec
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3
Turn left onto West Colorado Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West Colorado Street
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4
Turn left onto Colorado Street Freeway Extension
3029 ft · 38 sec · Colorado Street Freeway Extension
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Los Angeles
1556 ft · 38 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 110 South: Arroyo Seco Parkway, Los Angeles
693 ft · 17 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on CA 110 South: Arroyo Seco Parkway, Los Angeles
1.4 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Arroyo Seco Parkway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Arroyo Seco Parkway
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10
Continue on Harbor Freeway
2 mi · 3 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 Glendale 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.
Sunny leaving Glendale 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 Glendale to Santa Monica?
The road trip is about 24 miles (38.6 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?
Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12 miles from Glendale and 12 miles from Santa Monica.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16 miles (25.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8 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 7:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.90 one way or $9.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Glendale and 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 Torrance - Housing
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 Glendale and Santa Monica. Straight-line distance: 15.96 mi (25.69 km).
#1 Glendale
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 197,747 |
| Coordinates | 34.1425100, -118.2550800 |
| Altitude | 159 |
| 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: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.90 | $9.81 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $5.16 | $10.31 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $5.31 | $10.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $6.43 | $12.86 |
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.