How far is Manhattan Beach, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Manhattan Beach, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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 00h 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Orange County, California, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Manhattan Beach and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan Beach and Santa Ana.
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1
Start on Manhattan Beach Boulevard
2.9 mi · 6 min · Manhattan Beach Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Inglewood Avenue
1000 ft · 24 sec · Inglewood Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 405 South: Long Beach
986 ft · 26 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
18.7 mi · 22 min · San Diego Freeway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Garden Grove Freeway
9.8 mi · 11 min · Garden Grove Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Santa Ana
1550 ft · 20 sec · Garden Grove Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 South: Santa Ana, Broadway, Main Street
1342 ft · 18 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Broadway, Main Street
2460 ft · 32 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
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11
Turn straight onto North Broadway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
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12
Turn left onto West 5th Street
639 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
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13
Turn right onto North Main Street
1209 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
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14
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Manhattan Beach and Santa Ana.
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
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
18.7 mi · 00h 22m
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 Manhattan Beach 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 Manhattan Beach to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Signal Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.5 miles from Manhattan Beach and 18.5 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 4:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.50 one way or $15.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around Manhattan Beach and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Signal Hill
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of Torrance - Housing
bamboo house
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Signal Hill.
Long Beach, California
Torrance, CA
San Pedro (Catalina Terminal), California
San Pedro (Downtown), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Manhattan Beach and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 32.62 mi (52.5 km).
#1 Manhattan Beach
Beachfront city in Los Angeles County, California, USA
| Population | 34,298 |
| Coordinates | 33.8847400, -118.4109100 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| 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: 59 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.50 | $15.00 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $7.89 | $15.77 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.12 | $16.23 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $9.84 | $19.67 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.