How far is Malibu, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance from Malibu, CA to Irvine, CA is about 70.3 miles (113.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 38m 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 19m.
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.
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
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 Malibu and Irvine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malibu and Irvine.
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1
Start on Pacific Coast Highway
17.5 mi · 31 min · Pacific Coast Highway
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2
Continue on Santa Monica Freeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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3
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: Long Beach
1411 ft · 34 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
3.6 mi · 4 min · San Diego Freeway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
26.5 mi · 31 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
893 ft · 12 sec · San Diego Freeway
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8
Keep slight left
10.3 mi · 12 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on San Diego Freeway
5 mi · 6 min · San Diego Freeway
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Diego Freeway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Malibu 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.
San Diego Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
26.5 mi · 00h 31m
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 Malibu 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 Malibu to Irvine?
The road trip is about 70.3 miles (113.2 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?
Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.6 miles from Malibu and 35.7 miles from Irvine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.31 one way or $28.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Malibu and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Stop Ideas Near Lawndale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
City of Los Angeles
Palos Verdes Estates City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.
El Segundo, CA
Torrance, CA
Westchester, CA
San Pedro (Catalina Terminal), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Malibu and Irvine. Straight-line distance: 60.2 mi (96.88 km).
#1 Malibu
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 11,519 |
| Coordinates | 34.0257700, -118.7804000 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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: 113 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $14.31 | $28.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $15.04 | $30.09 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $15.48 | $30.97 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $18.77 | $37.53 |
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.