How far is Palmdale, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Palmdale, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 94.8 miles (152.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.3 miles (95.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 19m 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 39m.
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.
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palmdale and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmdale and Santa Ana.
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1
Start on East Palmdale Boulevard
654 ft · 16 sec · East Palmdale Boulevard
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2
Continue on East Palmdale Boulevard
732 ft · 26 sec · East Palmdale Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Sierra Highway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Sierra Highway
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Sierra Highway
1 mi · 1 min · Sierra Highway
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5
Take the exit right toward CA 14 South: Los Angeles
2557 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Antelope Valley Freeway
28.6 mi · 31 min · Antelope Valley Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Antelope Valley Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Antelope Valley Freeway
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8
Keep slight left
2606 ft · 36 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
-
11
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
-
13
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
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17
Turn straight onto North Broadway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
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18
Turn left onto West 5th Street
639 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
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19
Turn right onto North Main Street
1209 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
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20
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palmdale 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.
Antelope Valley Freeway
Merge slight left onto Antelope Valley Freeway
28.6 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.
Sunny leaving Palmdale and Partly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palmdale to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 94.8 miles (152.6 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?
Burbank is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.9 miles from Palmdale and 48 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.3 miles (95.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.5 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 3:10 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.27 one way or $38.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Palmdale and Partly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Burbank
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Beverly Hilton
City Hall Park Center
City of Los Angeles
City Hall South
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burbank.
Burbank Airport–South station
La Crescenta, California
Glendale Transportation Center
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palmdale and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 59.34 mi (95.5 km).
#1 Palmdale
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 150,498 |
| Coordinates | 34.5794300, -118.1164600 |
| Altitude | 810 |
| 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: 153 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $19.27 | $38.54 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $20.26 | $40.52 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $20.85 | $41.70 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $25.27 | $50.55 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.