How far is Modesto, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Modesto, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 341.1 miles (549 km), with a travel time of about 05h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 321.2 miles (516.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
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 05h 42m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
A city in Kern County, California.
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 Modesto and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Modesto and Santa Ana.
-
1
Start on 11th Street
25 m · 11 sec · 11th Street
-
2
Turn left onto H Street
2262 ft · 1 min · H Street
-
3
Take the ramp left
1163 ft · 28 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
93.9 mi · 1 hr 47 min
-
5
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
-
7
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
-
12
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
-
14
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
-
18
Turn straight onto North Broadway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
-
19
Turn left onto West 5th Street
639 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
-
20
Turn right onto North Main Street
1209 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
-
21
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Modesto and Santa Ana.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
H Street
Merge slight left
93.9 mi · 01h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Modesto 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 Modesto to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 341.1 miles (549 km) and usually takes 05h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Delano is a useful midpoint, sitting about 172.1 miles from Modesto and 169.1 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 321.2 miles (516.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 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 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:34 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $69.46 one way or $138.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 107 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Modesto and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Delano
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 Delano.
Wasco station
Corcoran station
Bakersfield
Visalia, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Modesto and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 321.2 mi (516.92 km).
#1 Modesto
The third most populous city in Stanislaus County, California.
| Population | 215,666 |
| Coordinates | 37.6391000, -120.9968800 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| 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: 549 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $69.46 | $138.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $73.03 | $146.07 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $75.17 | $150.33 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $91.11 | $182.21 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.