How far is Irvine, CA from Universal City, CA?
The driving distance from Irvine, CA to Universal City, CA is about 54.4 miles (87.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.5 miles (71.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 19m 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 01h 09m.
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 most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Irvine and Universal City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine and Universal 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 left to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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16
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
8.3 mi · 11 min · Hollywood Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Lankershim Boulevard, Universal City
965 ft · 30 sec
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18
Turn right onto Lankershim Boulevard
1004 ft · 30 sec · Lankershim Boulevard
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19
Turn right onto Main Street
853 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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20
Turn right onto Kirk Douglas Drive
1478 ft · 2 min · Kirk Douglas Drive
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21
Turn left onto Cylon Drive
525 ft · 48 sec · Cylon Drive
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22
Turn left
25 m · 10 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irvine and Universal 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.
Santa Ana Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
18 mi · 00h 21m
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Irvine and Sunny near Universal City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Universal City?
The road trip is about 54.4 miles (87.6 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?
Norwalk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.2 miles from Irvine and 27.2 miles from Universal City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.5 miles (71.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 4:10 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.08 one way or $22.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around Irvine and Sunny near Universal City.
Stop Ideas Near Norwalk
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
Anaheim City Clerk
The City of Orange
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Norwalk.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Long Beach, California
Torrance, CA
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irvine and Universal City. Straight-line distance: 44.46 mi (71.55 km).
#1 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Universal City
Universal City is a place in California, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.1389000, -118.3534100 |
| Altitude | 230 |
| Country | United States |
End: Universal City (-118.35341, 34.1389)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 88 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $11.08 | $22.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $11.65 | $23.29 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $11.99 | $23.97 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $14.53 | $29.06 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.