How far is Irvine, CA from Lakewood, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to Lakewood, CA is about 28.5 miles (45.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.9 miles (35.3 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.
A 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 Irvine and Lakewood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and Lakewood.
-
1
Start on San Diego Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Diego Freeway
-
2
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
1456 ft · 21 sec
-
3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
951 ft · 22 sec · Jeffrey Road
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 North: Los Angeles
1228 ft · 18 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
6.5 mi · 7 min · San Diego Freeway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
9.7 mi · 11 min · San Diego Freeway
-
7
Keep slight left
6 mi · 7 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward Veterans Hospital
1906 ft · 51 sec
-
9
Turn right onto Bellflower Boulevard
2.9 mi · 6 min · Bellflower Boulevard
-
10
Turn left onto Del Amo Boulevard
2692 ft · 55 sec · Del Amo Boulevard
-
11
Turn right onto Clark Avenue
2365 ft · 1 min · Clark Avenue
-
12
Turn left onto Candlewood Street
17 m · 1 sec · Candlewood Street
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Candlewood Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine and Lakewood.
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.
San Diego Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
9.75 mi · 00h 11m
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 Irvine and Mostly Sunny near Lakewood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Lakewood?
The road trip is about 28.5 miles (45.9 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?
Fountain Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.2 miles from Irvine and 14.3 miles from Lakewood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.9 miles (35.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 Irvine and Mostly Sunny near Lakewood.
Stop Ideas Near Fountain Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
bamboo house
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fountain Valley.
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 Irvine and Lakewood. Straight-line distance: 21.93 mi (35.29 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lakewood
Lakewood is a community in California's Los Angeles County.
| Population | 78,119 |
| Coordinates | 33.8536300, -118.1339600 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lakewood (-118.13396, 33.85363)
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 42m |
| 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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.