How far is Los Angeles, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Los Angeles, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 32.3 miles (52 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m 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 40m.
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.
The most populous city in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles and Santa Ana.
-
1
Start on West 1st Street
21 m · 10 sec · West 1st Street
-
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1465 ft · 35 sec · North Main Street
-
3
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
103 m · 13 sec · East Aliso Street
-
4
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 South, I 10 East, I 5 South
776 ft · 19 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
28.8 mi · 34 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
-
9
Turn straight onto North Broadway
2613 ft · 58 sec · North Broadway
-
10
Turn left onto West 17th Street
684 ft · 26 sec · West 17th Street
-
11
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · North Main Street
-
12
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Angeles and Santa Ana.
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.
Santa Ana Freeway
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
28.8 mi · 00h 34m
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 Los Angeles and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Los Angeles to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 32.3 miles (52 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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?
Norwalk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.2 miles from Los Angeles and 16.2 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 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 7:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.58 one way or $13.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Los Angeles and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
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 Los Angeles and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 30.22 mi (48.64 km).
#1 Los Angeles
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
| Population | 3,970,219 |
| Coordinates | 34.0522300, -118.2436800 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Santa Ana
The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.
| Population | 331,301 |
| Coordinates | 33.7455700, -117.8678300 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 1st Street (-117.86783, 33.745553)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 52 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $6.58 | $13.15 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.92 | $13.83 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $7.12 | $14.23 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $8.63 | $17.25 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.