How far is Lafayette, CA from Irvine, CA?
Fastest route
The distance between Lafayette, California, and Irvine, California is approximately 411 miles (661 kilometers). The estimated travel time is around 5 hours and 53 minutes via I-5 S. This route is recommended due to traffic conditions.
Directions
- 🚗 Start by getting on CA-24 E from Rosedale Ave and Moraga Rd.
- Head east on St Marys Rd toward Rosedale Ave.
- Turn left onto Rosedale Ave.
- Turn right onto Moraga Rd.
- Turn right onto Mount Diablo Blvd.
- Pass by Orangetheory Fitness (on the right).
- Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto First St.
- Turn right to merge onto CA-24 E toward Walnut Creek.
- Take I-5 S and I-405 S to Jamboree Rd in Irvine.
- Use the right 3 lanes to take exit 15A to merge onto I-680 S toward San Jose.
- Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 30A to merge onto I-580 E toward Stockton.
- Keep right at the fork to stay on I-580 E, follow signs for Interstate 580/Interstate 5 S/Fresno/Los Angeles.
- Use the right 3 lanes to take exit 158 for I-405 S toward Santa Monica.
- Be aware that parts of this road may be closed at certain times or days.
- Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 7 for Jamboree Rd.
- Continue on Jamboree Rd.
- Drive to Alton Pkwy.
- Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Jamboree Rd.
- Turn right onto Alton Pkwy.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🛣️ Make sure to plan your departure according to traffic conditions to ensure a smooth journey.
- ⛽ It's a long drive, so consider taking breaks at rest stops to stay refreshed.
- 📱 Use navigation apps or GPS devices to stay updated on the route and traffic.
- 🥤 Stay hydrated and pack some snacks for the road.
- 🚘 Check your vehicle's condition and fuel level before starting the trip.
FAQs
Q: How long is the distance between Lafayette and Irvine? A: The distance is approximately 411 miles (661 kilometers).
Q: What is the estimated travel time between Lafayette and Irvine? A: The estimated travel time is about 5 hours and 53 minutes.
Q: Which route is recommended for the journey? A: The recommended route is via I-5 S.
Q: Are there any road closures to be aware of? A: Yes, parts of the road may be closed at certain times or days.
Q: What are some tips for the road trip? A: Be sure to plan for breaks, use navigation apps, stay hydrated, and check your vehicle's condition before departing.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 06h 25m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Census-designated place in Kings County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lafayette and Irvine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette and Irvine.
-
1
Start on Saint Mary's Road
13 m · 2 sec · Saint Mary's Road
-
2
Turn right onto Moraga Road
2269 ft · 55 sec · Moraga Road
-
3
Turn right onto Mount Diablo Boulevard
682 ft · 21 sec · Mount Diablo Boulevard
-
4
Turn left onto 1st Street
662 ft · 25 sec · 1st Street
-
5
Take the ramp right toward CA 24 East: Walnut Creek
1663 ft · 41 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 680 South: Mount Diablo Boulevard, San Jose
1351 ft · 33 sec
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 680 South: San Jose, Dublin, South Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
1269 ft · 17 sec · Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
-
10
Continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Donald D Doyle Highway
13.4 mi · 16 min · Donald D Doyle Highway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
1362 ft · 33 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
1.1 km · 1 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 580: Stockton
1581 ft · 39 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
17.8 mi · 21 min · Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
11.1 mi · 12 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on William Elton Brown Freeway
5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway
-
19
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
224.4 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway
-
20
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
-
23
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
-
25
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
26
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
-
28
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
-
29
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
-
30
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
31
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
32
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
33
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
2131 ft · 28 sec
-
34
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
-
35
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: John Wayne Airport
3019 ft · 39 sec
-
36
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South
775 ft · 10 sec
-
37
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
-
38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Diego Freeway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lafayette and Irvine.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
224 mi · 04h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Light Rain leaving Lafayette 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 Lafayette to Irvine?
The road trip is about 412 miles (663.1 km) and usually takes 06h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kettleman City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 203.3 miles from Lafayette and 208.8 miles from Irvine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 377.8 miles (608 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.2 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $83.88 one way or $167.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 129.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Stop Ideas Near Kettleman City
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 Kettleman City.
Kettleman City, California
Lemoore, California
Corcoran station
Lemoore (Naval Air Station), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Irvine. Straight-line distance: 377.82 mi (608.05 km).
#1 Lafayette
City in California
| Population | 25,992 |
| Coordinates | 37.8857600, -122.1180200 |
| Altitude | 94 |
| 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: 663 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $83.88 | $167.76 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $88.20 | $176.40 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $90.77 | $181.55 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $110.02 | $220.05 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.