How far is Santa Ana, CA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Pasadena, CA is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32 miles (51.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m 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 51m.
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 most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and Pasadena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Pasadena.
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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 right onto Columbia Street
1046 ft · 28 sec · Columbia Street
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12
Turn left onto Fair Oaks Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Fair Oaks Avenue
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13
Turn right onto East Colorado Boulevard
1883 ft · 45 sec · East Colorado Boulevard
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14
Turn left onto North Garfield Avenue
658 ft · 26 sec · North Garfield Avenue
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15
Turn left onto East Holly Street
22 m · 3 sec · East Holly Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Holly Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and Pasadena.
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 Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Sunny near Pasadena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Pasadena?
The road trip is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?
Norwalk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.6 miles from Santa Ana and 18.5 miles from Pasadena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32 miles (51.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.1 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 4:48 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.56 one way or $15.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Santa Ana and Sunny near Pasadena.
Stop Ideas Near Norwalk
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 Norwalk.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Long Beach, California
Torrance, CA
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Pasadena. Straight-line distance: 31.99 mi (51.49 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 Pasadena
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 141,045 |
| Coordinates | 34.1477800, -118.1445200 |
| Altitude | 263 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pasadena (-118.14452, 34.14778)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $7.56 | $15.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $7.95 | $15.89 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $8.18 | $16.36 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $9.91 | $19.83 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.