How far is Santa Ana, CA from Aliso Viejo, CA?

The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Aliso Viejo, CA is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
19.46 mi
00h 26m
Flight
14.87 mi
23.93 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Santa Ana.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
14.87 mi
Kilometers
23.93 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
19.46 mi
Kilometers
31.32 km
Drive Time
00h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Aliso Viejo
Thu, Apr 16, 9:24 AM PDT
Return by in Santa Ana
Thu, Apr 16, 9:51 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Ana
2026-04-16T08:58
Arrive Aliso Viejo
Thu, Apr 16, 9:24 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:26 AM to 7:26 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:38 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Santa Ana
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Irvine
CA

A city located in Orange County, California.

From Santa Ana
9.8 mi
00h 13m
To Aliso Viejo
9.8 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
66°F
Thursday

Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and Aliso Viejo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Aliso Viejo.

  1. 1

    Start on West 1st Street

    79 m · 11 sec · West 1st Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West 1st Street

    109 m · 17 sec · West 1st Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    3.1 mi · 6 min · South Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East MacArthur Boulevard

    1548 ft · 32 sec · East MacArthur Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach

    988 ft · 15 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway

    2066 ft · 27 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: John Wayne Airport

    3019 ft · 39 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South

    775 ft · 10 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    4.2 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · San Diego Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    1.1 km · 48 sec · San Diego Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 133 South, CA 133 North: Laguna Beach

    898 ft · 17 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 133 South: Laguna Beach

    2498 ft · 48 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Laguna Freeway

    1637 ft · 25 sec · Laguna Freeway

  15. 15

    Continue on Laguna Canyon Road

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Laguna Canyon Road

  16. 16

    Take the ramp slight right toward CA 73 Toll North: El Toro Road

    1.2 km · 57 sec

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    1.5 km · 1 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    3105 ft · 41 sec · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Aliso Creek Road

    2331 ft · 35 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Aliso Creek Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Aliso Creek Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Aliso Viejo Parkway

    699 ft · 12 sec · Aliso Viejo Parkway

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Aliso Viejo Parkway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and Aliso Viejo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
22 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
112.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
6.05 mi · 31%
Laguna Canyon Road
3.69 mi · 19%
South Main Street
3.13 mi · 16%
CA 73 Toll North
1.69 mi · 9%
Aliso Creek Road
1.52 mi · 8%
I 405 South
0.72 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

San Diego Freeway

Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

4.24 mi · 00h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 26m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.5 mi
14.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Irvine
00h 13m from Santa Ana
Leave By
7:38 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy near Aliso Viejo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Aliso Viejo?

The road trip is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km) and usually takes 00h 26m 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?

Irvine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.8 miles from Santa Ana and 9.8 miles from Aliso Viejo.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.98 one way or $7.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Santa Ana and Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy near Aliso Viejo.

Stop Ideas Near Irvine

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Irvine and the surrounding midpoint area.
Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort
Stay option 13.1 mi away

Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort

Dana Point , CA
1 Monarch Beach Resort N a, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Spa,Day spa,Massage spa,Massage therapist,Resort hotel,Spa and health club
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 8.4 mi away

Newport Beach Municipal Operations

Newport Beach , CA
592 Superior Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Government office,Park
City of Lake Forest
Practical stop 6.5 mi away

City of Lake Forest

Irvine
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Meeting point 5.9 mi away

City of Tustin Parks & Recreation

Tustin , CA
300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780, United States
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Irvine.

RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

6 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

10 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard
RAIL

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center

16 mi away
2150 East Katella Avenue
RAIL

Fullerton Transportation Center

24 mi away
120 East Santa Fe Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Aliso Viejo. Straight-line distance: 14.87 mi (23.93 km).

Santa Ana

#1 Santa Ana

The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.

Population331,301
Coordinates33.7455700, -117.8678300
Altitude35
CountryUnited States
Aliso Viejo

#2 Aliso Viejo

A city in Orange County, California.

Population50,412
Coordinates33.5650400, -117.7271200
Altitude143
CountryUnited States
Start: Santa Ana (-117.86783, 33.74557)
End: Aliso Viejo (-117.72712, 33.56504)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 31 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.69 gal
2.6 L · about $3.98
Round trip
$7.96
1.38 gal · 5.2 L
Estimated CO2
6.1 kg one way
Round trip: 12.3 kg / 27 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $3.98 $7.96
Mid-grade $6.07 $4.19 $8.37
Premium $6.24 $4.31 $8.62
Diesel $7.57 $5.22 $10.44

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 · Apr 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Santa Ana and Aliso Viejo. The current time is 08:58:21.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.