How far is La Quinta, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance from La Quinta, CA to Irvine, CA is about 78.6 miles (126.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 65.3 miles (105.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 09m 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 34m.
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 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.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Quinta and Irvine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Quinta and Irvine.
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1
Start on Las Llajas Canyon Trail
4.2 mi · 41 min · Las Llajas Canyon Trail
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2
Continue on Las Llajas Canyon Trail
128 m · 33 sec · Las Llajas Canyon Trail
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3
Turn right onto Evening Sky Drive
2689 ft · 2 min · Evening Sky Drive
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4
Turn left onto Yosemite Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Yosemite Avenue
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5
Take the ramp right toward CA 118 East
949 ft · 25 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
1.3 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
21.8 mi · 26 min · Golden State Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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14
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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17
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
2131 ft · 28 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: John Wayne Airport
3019 ft · 39 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South
775 ft · 10 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Diego Freeway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Quinta and Irvine.
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
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 00h 30m
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 La Quinta and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Quinta to Irvine?
The road trip is about 78.6 miles (126.5 km) and usually takes 01h 34m 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?
Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.8 miles from La Quinta and 37.9 miles from Irvine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 65.3 miles (105.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 3:20 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.98 one way or $31.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Quinta and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
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 El Monte Public Works Department
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 La Quinta and Irvine. Straight-line distance: 65.28 mi (105.06 km).
#1 La Quinta
Town in Riverside County, California, United States
| Population | 42,271 |
| Coordinates | 34.3277800, -118.6406400 |
| Altitude | 594 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-117.823114, 33.669436)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 127 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $15.98 | $31.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $16.80 | $33.61 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $17.29 | $34.59 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $20.96 | $41.92 |
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.