How far is Orange County, CA from La Palma, CA?
The driving distance from Orange County, CA to La Palma, CA is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 03m 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 31m.
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 sixth most populous city in 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 Orange County and La Palma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orange County and La Palma.
-
1
Start on College
794 ft · 26 sec · College
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Irvine Center Drive
2.3 mi · 4 min · Irvine Center Drive
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3
Continue on Edinger Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · Edinger Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Del Amo Avenue
1395 ft · 34 sec · Del Amo Avenue
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5
Continue on CA 55 North
1374 ft · 21 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
1649 ft · 22 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
2136 ft · 28 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
1.1 km · 47 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2756 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
9 mi · 10 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 East: Magnolia Avenue
1473 ft · 43 sec
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13
Turn left onto Magnolia Avenue
132 m · 14 sec · Magnolia Avenue
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14
Take the ramp left toward CA 91 West
1028 ft · 27 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Artesia Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Artesia Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Valley View Street, Orangethorpe Avenue
1264 ft · 34 sec
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17
Turn left onto Valley View Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Valley View Street
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18
Turn right onto La Palma Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · La Palma Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · La Palma Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Orange County and La Palma.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
8.95 mi · 00h 10m
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 Orange County and Mostly Sunny near La Palma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Orange County to La Palma?
The road trip is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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?
Orange is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.6 miles from Orange County and 11.6 miles from La Palma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.8 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 7:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.73 one way or $9.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Orange County and Mostly Sunny near La Palma.
Stop Ideas Near Orange
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
bamboo house
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Orange.
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Fullerton Transportation Center
Irvine Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Orange County and La Palma. Straight-line distance: 19.46 mi (31.32 km).
#1 Orange County
County in California, United States
| Population | 3,166,857 |
| Coordinates | 33.6769100, -117.7761700 |
| Altitude | 41 |
| Country | United States |
#2 La Palma
City
| Population | 15,415 |
| Coordinates | 33.8464000, -118.0467300 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Palma (-118.04673, 33.8464)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 37 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.73 | $9.46 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $4.97 | $9.95 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $5.12 | $10.24 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $6.20 | $12.41 |
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.