How far is Santa Ana, CA from Northridge, CA?

The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Northridge, CA is about 59 miles (95 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50.8 miles (81.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
59.02 mi
01h 13m
Flight
50.8 mi
81.76 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Santa Ana.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
50.8 mi
Kilometers
81.76 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.02 mi
Kilometers
94.99 km
Drive Time
01h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Northridge
Thu, Oct 15, 4:43 PM PDT
Return by in Santa Ana
Thu, Oct 15, 5:57 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Ana
2026-10-15T15:29
Arrive Northridge
Thu, Oct 15, 4:43 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:14 AM to 11:14 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:02 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Santa Ana
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Vernon
CA

City five miles (8.

From Santa Ana
29.5 mi
00h 36m
To Northridge
29.5 mi
00h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 8:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph NE
Destination
89°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Northridge.

  1. 1

    Start on West 1st Street

    576 ft · 16 sec · West 1st Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Broadway

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North Broadway

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Santa Clara Avenue

    615 ft · 14 sec · West Santa Clara Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on I 5 North: Los Angeles

    1787 ft · 27 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway

    8.9 mi · 10 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway

    10.7 mi · 13 min · Golden State Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura

    1842 ft · 24 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway

    2950 ft · 38 sec · Ventura Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.2 km · 53 sec · Ventura Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Ventura Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South, I 405 North: Santa Monica, Sacramento

    1135 ft · 28 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Sacramento

    1182 ft · 29 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City

    1187 ft · 37 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Roscoe Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · Roscoe Boulevard

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Woodley Avenue

    2677 ft · 1 min · Woodley Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Parthenia Street

    3 mi · 5 min · Parthenia Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Parthenia Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Santa Ana Freeway
26.9 mi · 46%
Golden State Freeway
10.7 mi · 18%
Ventura Freeway
10.3 mi · 17%
San Diego Freeway
3.94 mi · 7%
Parthenia Street
2.96 mi · 5%
North Broadway
1.47 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Santa Ana Freeway

Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

18 mi · 00h 21m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.2 mi
50.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vernon
00h 36m from Santa Ana
Leave By
4:02 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Sunny near Northridge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Northridge?

The road trip is about 59 miles (95 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?

Vernon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.5 miles from Santa Ana and 29.5 miles from Northridge.

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

The direct path is about 50.8 miles (81.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 4:02 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.02 one way or $26.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Ana and Sunny near Northridge.

Stop Ideas Near Vernon

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 Vernon and the surrounding midpoint area.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
Stay option 4.7 mi away

Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles

Bell Gardens , CA
6328 S Eastern Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Motel
City of South El Monte City Hall
Scenic stop 9.7 mi away

City of South El Monte City Hall

South El Monte , CA
1415 Santa Anita Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Park,City or town hall
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 2.8 mi away

City of Los Angeles

Los Angeles , CA
1149 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews E-commerce service
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 10.3 mi away

City Of El Monte Public Works Department

El Monte , CA
3990 Arden Dr, El Monte, CA 91731, United States
Rating 5.0/5 3 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Los Angeles Union Station

6 mi away
800 North Alameda Street
RAIL

Glendale Transportation Center

14 mi away
400 West Cerritos Avenue
BUS

Westchester, CA

15 mi away
6860 Park Terrace Drive
BUS

Pasadena, California

18 mi away
150 South Los Robles Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Northridge. Straight-line distance: 50.8 mi (81.76 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Northridge

Situated in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County at an elevation of 807 feet, this primarily residential area is home to California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

Population0
Coordinates34.2283400, -118.5367500
Altitude246
CountryUnited States
Start: Santa Ana (-117.86783, 33.74557)
End: Northridge (-118.53675, 34.22834)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 95 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.08 gal
7.88 L · about $13.02
Round trip
$26.05
4.16 gal · 15.76 L
Estimated CO2
18.5 kg one way
Round trip: 37 kg / 82 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $6.26 $13.02 $26.05
Mid-grade $6.50 $13.52 $27.04
Premium $6.69 $13.91 $27.83
Diesel $8.41 $17.50 $35.00

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

There is no time difference between Santa Ana and Northridge. The current time is 15:29:29.

Distance to Other Cities

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