How far is Santa Ana, CA from La Quinta, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to La Quinta, CA is about 72.9 miles (117.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.8 miles (96.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 11m 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 02h 05m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and La Quinta.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and La Quinta.
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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
18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.9 mi · 27 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CA 118 West, CA 118 East
702 ft · 9 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on CA 118 West
1.4 km · 59 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto Ronald Reagan Freeway
2639 ft · 35 sec · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Freeway
5.3 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Yosemite Avenue
1649 ft · 44 sec
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18
Turn right onto Yosemite Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · Yosemite Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Evening Sky Drive
2689 ft · 2 min · Evening Sky Drive
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20
Turn left onto Las Llajas Canyon Trail
128 m · 32 sec · Las Llajas Canyon Trail
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21
Continue on Las Llajas Canyon Trail
4.2 mi · 41 min · Las Llajas Canyon Trail
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Las Llajas Canyon Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and La Quinta.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Golden State Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.9 mi · 00h 27m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Sunny near La Quinta.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to La Quinta?
The road trip is about 72.9 miles (117.3 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?
Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.5 miles from Santa Ana and 36.5 miles from La Quinta.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.8 miles (96.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 2:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.83 one way or $29.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Ana and Sunny near La Quinta.
Stop Ideas Near Glendale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
City of Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glendale.
Glendale Transportation Center
Los Angeles Union Station
La Crescenta, California
Pasadena, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and La Quinta. Straight-line distance: 59.8 mi (96.24 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 La Quinta
Town in Riverside County, California, United States
| Population | 42,271 |
| Coordinates | 34.3277800, -118.6406400 |
| Altitude | 594 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Quinta (-118.64064, 34.32778)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 117 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $14.83 | $29.65 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $15.59 | $31.18 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $16.04 | $32.09 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $19.45 | $38.89 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.