How far is Irvine, CA from California City, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to California City, CA is about 152.5 miles (245.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101 miles (162.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m 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 02h 58m.
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 second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Irvine and California City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and California City.
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1
Start on San Diego Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
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2
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
1456 ft · 21 sec
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3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
951 ft · 22 sec · Jeffrey Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 North: Los Angeles
1228 ft · 18 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: Freeway
1254 ft · 16 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on CA 55 North
2685 ft · 35 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
2136 ft · 28 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
1.1 km · 47 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2756 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
45.7 mi · 53 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Aerospace Highway
19.1 mi · 20 min · Aerospace Highway
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20
Continue on Sierra Highway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Sierra Highway
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21
Turn right onto Aerospace Highway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Aerospace Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward California City Boulevard
1757 ft · 23 sec
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23
Keep slight right
125 m · 6 sec
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24
Turn straight onto California City Boulevard
7.7 mi · 11 min · California City Boulevard
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · California City Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine and California City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
CA 14 North
Keep slight right to continue on CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
45.7 mi · 00h 53m
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.
Sunny leaving Irvine and Mostly Clear near California City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irvine to California City?
The road trip is about 152.5 miles (245.5 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?
Santa Clarita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.3 miles from Irvine and 76.2 miles from California City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 101 miles (162.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.5 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 12:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.04 one way or $62.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Irvine and Mostly Clear near California City.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Clarita
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Chatsworth station
Simi Valley
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and California City. Straight-line distance: 101.05 mi (162.62 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 California City
City in Kern County, California
| Population | 14,198 |
| Coordinates | 35.1258000, -117.9859000 |
| Altitude | 733 |
| Country | United States |
End: California City (-117.9859, 35.1258)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 246 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $31.04 | $62.07 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $32.64 | $65.27 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $33.59 | $67.17 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $40.71 | $81.42 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.