How far is Palmdale, CA from Santa Monica, CA?
The driving distance from Palmdale, CA to Santa Monica, CA is about 61.6 miles (99.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.2 miles (71.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 24m 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 12m.
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 second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palmdale and Santa Monica.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmdale and Santa Monica.
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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
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11
Keep slight right
18.8 mi · 22 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Los Angeles, Santa Monica
922 ft · 22 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: Santa Monica
2108 ft · 47 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CA 1 South: Lincoln Boulevard
1062 ft · 26 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Olympic Boulevard
146 m · 15 sec · Olympic Boulevard
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17
Turn right onto Lincoln Boulevard
2126 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palmdale and Santa Monica.
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 Sunny near Santa Monica.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palmdale to Santa Monica?
The road trip is about 61.6 miles (99.2 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?
Santa Clarita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.8 miles from Palmdale and 30.8 miles from Santa Monica.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.2 miles (71.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 4:06 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.59 one way or $27.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Palmdale and Sunny near Santa Monica.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Clarita
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 Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Chatsworth station
Simi Valley
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palmdale and Santa Monica. Straight-line distance: 44.21 mi (71.15 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 Monica
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 90,024 |
| Coordinates | 34.0194500, -118.4911900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Monica (-118.49119, 34.01945)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 99 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $13.59 | $27.17 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $14.10 | $28.21 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $14.52 | $29.03 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $18.26 | $36.51 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026