How far is Santa Ana, CA from Altadena, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Altadena, CA is about 40.7 miles (65.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.2 miles (55 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 57m 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 00h 58m.
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.
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and Altadena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Altadena.
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1
Start on West 1st Street
576 ft · 16 sec · West 1st Street
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2
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
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3
Turn right onto West Santa Clara Avenue
615 ft · 14 sec · West Santa Clara Avenue
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4
Continue on I 5 North: Los Angeles
1787 ft · 27 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
15.7 mi · 18 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 710 North: Pasadena
2151 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight right onto Long Beach Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Long Beach Freeway
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9
Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard
2826 ft · 1 min · West Valley Boulevard
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10
Turn left onto South Fremont Avenue
3.3 mi · 8 min · South Fremont Avenue
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Columbia Street
53 m · 7 sec · Columbia Street
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12
Turn right onto South Pasadena Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · South Pasadena Avenue
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13
Turn slight left onto Long Beach Freeway
2262 ft · 33 sec · Long Beach Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 210 East: San Bernardino
3144 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
1978 ft · 26 sec · Ventura Freeway
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16
Merge slight right onto Foothill Freeway
1689 ft · 22 sec · Foothill Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Lake Avenue
1313 ft · 32 sec
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18
Turn straight onto East Corson Street
136 m · 10 sec · East Corson Street
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19
Turn left onto North Lake Avenue
2.7 mi · 6 min · North Lake Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lake Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and Altadena.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Santa Ana Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
15.7 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Santa Ana and Sunny near Altadena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Altadena?
The road trip is about 40.7 miles (65.5 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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 Fe Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.4 miles from Santa Ana and 20.3 miles from Altadena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.2 miles (55 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 4:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.31 one way or $16.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Santa Ana and Sunny near Altadena.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Fe Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of South El Monte City Hall
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Los ANgeles city Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Fe Springs.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station
Long Beach, California
Pasadena, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Altadena. Straight-line distance: 34.2 mi (55.04 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Altadena
Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 42,777 |
| Coordinates | 34.1897300, -118.1311800 |
| Altitude | 414 |
| Country | United States |
End: Altadena (-118.13118, 34.18973)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 66 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $8.31 | $16.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $8.74 | $17.47 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.99 | $17.98 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $10.90 | $21.79 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.