How far is Santa Ana, CA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Modesto, CA is about 363.3 miles (584.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 321.2 miles (516.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 06h 11m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
A city in Kern 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 Santa Ana and Modesto.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Modesto.
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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
25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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10
Keep slight left
36.1 mi · 42 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
22.3 mi · 25 min · Golden State Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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14
Continue on Golden State Highway
111.4 mi · 2 hr · Golden State Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue 7
2522 ft · 31 sec
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16
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 24 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Northbound California State Route 99
59.9 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Northbound California State Route 99
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18
Take the exit slight right toward 6th Street, G Street
1094 ft · 24 sec
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19
Continue on 6th Street
758 ft · 26 sec · 6th Street
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20
Turn right onto G Street
1893 ft · 1 min · G Street
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21
Turn left onto 11th Street
122 m · 18 sec · 11th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and Modesto.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Golden State Highway
Continue on Golden State Highway
111 mi · 02h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Sunny near Modesto.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Modesto?
The road trip is about 363.3 miles (584.7 km) and usually takes 06h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Delano is a useful midpoint, sitting about 172.1 miles from Santa Ana and 191.3 miles from Modesto.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 321.2 miles (516.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.1 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $73.96 one way or $147.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 113.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Ana and Sunny near Modesto.
Stop Ideas Near Delano
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 Delano.
Wasco station
Corcoran station
Bakersfield
Visalia, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Modesto. Straight-line distance: 321.2 mi (516.92 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 Modesto
The third most populous city in Stanislaus County, California.
| Population | 215,666 |
| Coordinates | 37.6391000, -120.9968800 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| Country | United States |
End: 11th Street (-120.996829, 37.639137)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 585 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $73.96 | $147.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $77.77 | $155.53 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $80.04 | $160.07 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $97.01 | $194.02 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.