How far is Irvine, CA from South Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to South Pasadena, CA is about 46.4 miles (74.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.1 miles (58.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 55m 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 00h 57m.
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.
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 South Pasadena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and South Pasadena.
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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
15.7 mi · 18 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight left toward I 710 North: Pasadena
2151 ft · 41 sec
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16
Merge slight right onto Long Beach Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Long Beach Freeway
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17
Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard
2826 ft · 1 min · West Valley Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto South Fremont Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · South Fremont Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Huntington Drive
102 m · 8 sec · Huntington Drive
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20
Turn slight left
87 m · 13 sec
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21
Turn left onto Fair Oaks Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Fair Oaks Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fair Oaks Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine and South Pasadena.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Santa Ana Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
15.7 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Irvine and Mostly Sunny near South Pasadena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irvine to South Pasadena?
The road trip is about 46.4 miles (74.7 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?
Buena Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.2 miles from Irvine and 23.2 miles from South Pasadena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.1 miles (58.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:34 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.46 one way or $18.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Irvine and Mostly Sunny near South Pasadena.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Park
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 Tustin Parks & Recreation
The City of Orange
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buena Park.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Long Beach, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and South Pasadena. Straight-line distance: 36.12 mi (58.13 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Pasadena
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 24,995 |
| Coordinates | 34.1161200, -118.1503500 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Pasadena (-118.15035, 34.11612)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 75 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.46 | $18.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $9.95 | $19.90 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.24 | $20.48 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $12.41 | $24.82 |
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.