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

The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Palmdale, CA is about 93.3 miles (150.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 59.3 miles (95.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 40m 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
93.34 mi
01h 50m
Flight
59.34 mi
95.5 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
59.34 mi
Kilometers
95.5 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
93.34 mi
Kilometers
150.22 km
Drive Time
01h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Palmdale
Tue, May 12, 6:08 PM PDT
Return by in Santa Ana
Tue, May 12, 7:58 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Ana
2026-05-12T16:17
Arrive Palmdale
Tue, May 12, 6:08 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:50 AM to 11:50 AM PDT

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

Leave by
2:50 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
Burbank
CA

The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.

From Santa Ana
46.7 mi
00h 55m
To Palmdale
46.7 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
92°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    25.5 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster

    29.5 mi · 34 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Angeles Forest Highway, Pearblossom Highway

    1068 ft · 26 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Angeles Forest Highway

    142 m · 11 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    47 m · 6 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Sierra Highway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Sierra Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Sierra Highway

    4.2 mi · 5 min · Sierra Highway

  16. 16

    Turn right onto East Palmdale Boulevard

    12 m · 1 sec · East Palmdale Boulevard

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Palmdale Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
CA 14 North
29.5 mi · 32%
Golden State Freeway
27.7 mi · 30%
Santa Ana Freeway
26.9 mi · 29%
Sierra Highway
5.4 mi · 6%
I 5 Truck North
1.52 mi · 2%
North Broadway
1.47 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

CA 14 North

Keep slight right to continue on CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster

29.5 mi · 00h 34m

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 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34 mi
59.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Burbank
00h 55m from Santa Ana
Leave By
2:50 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Sunny near Palmdale.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 93.3 miles (150.2 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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?

Burbank is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.7 miles from Santa Ana and 46.7 miles from Palmdale.

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

The direct path is about 59.3 miles (95.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 2:50 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.98 one way or $37.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Burbank

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 Burbank and the surrounding midpoint area.
The Beverly Hilton
Stay option 11.1 mi away

The Beverly Hilton

Beverly Hills , CA
9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States
Rating 4.4/5 2,769 reviews Hotel
City Hall Park Center
Scenic stop 13.6 mi away

City Hall Park Center

Los Angeles , CA
200 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Rating 4.5/5 43 reviews Park
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 14 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
City Hall South
Meeting point 13.7 mi away

City Hall South

Los Angeles , CA
111 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Rating 4.5/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Burbank Airport–South station

5 mi away
3750 Empire Avenue
BUS

La Crescenta, California

7 mi away
Honolulu & Lowell Avenue
RAIL

Glendale Transportation Center

8 mi away
400 West Cerritos Avenue
RAIL

Van Nuys station

13 mi away
7724 Van Nuys Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Palmdale. Straight-line distance: 59.34 mi (95.5 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
Palmdale

#2 Palmdale

The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.

Population150,498
Coordinates34.5794300, -118.1164600
Altitude810
CountryUnited States
Start: Santa Ana (-117.86783, 33.74557)
End: Palmdale (-118.11646, 34.57943)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 150 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.29 gal
12.47 L · about $18.98
Round trip
$37.96
6.58 gal · 24.94 L
Estimated CO2
29.2 kg one way
Round trip: 58.5 kg / 129 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $18.98 $37.96
Mid-grade $6.07 $19.96 $39.91
Premium $6.24 $20.54 $41.08
Diesel $7.57 $24.90 $49.79

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 · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Santa Ana and Palmdale. The current time is 16:17:33.

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.