How far is Santa Ana, CA from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA?

The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Rancho Palos Verdes, CA is about 40.6 miles (65.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 29.8 miles (48 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m 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
40.6 mi
00h 59m
Flight
29.83 mi
48 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
29.83 mi
Kilometers
48 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
40.6 mi
Kilometers
65.34 km
Drive Time
00h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rancho Palos Verdes
Sun, Apr 19, 9:17 AM PDT
Return by in Santa Ana
Sun, Apr 19, 10:16 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Ana
2026-04-19T08:17
Arrive Rancho Palos Verdes
Sun, Apr 19, 9:17 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:30 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Signal Hill
CA

City in Orange County, California, USA

From Santa Ana
20.3 mi
00h 29m
To Rancho Palos Verdes
20.3 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
Rancho Palos Verdes Weather
CA
Live fallback forecast
71°F
Sunday
Using Rolling Hills as the closest live forecast in the Los Angeles County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and Rancho Palos Verdes.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Rancho Palos Verdes.

  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

    1510 ft · 20 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 22 West: Long Beach

    2856 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on CA 22 West: Long Beach

    126 m · 9 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Garden Grove Freeway

    10.2 mi · 12 min · Garden Grove Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on San Diego Freeway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · San Diego Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Alameda Street

    1665 ft · 43 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Alameda Street

    3 mi · 5 min · South Alameda Street

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right

    127 m · 9 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on North Alameda Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Alameda Street

  14. 14

    Continue on East Harry Bridges Boulevard

    1.3 mi · 2 min · East Harry Bridges Boulevard

  15. 15

    Take the ramp straight toward I 110 North, I 110 South: San Pedro, Los Angeles

    51 m · 4 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 110 South: San Pedro

    1197 ft · 29 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Harbor Freeway

    2 mi · 2 min · Harbor Freeway

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Gaffey Street

    1221 ft · 34 sec · North Gaffey Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto West 1st Street

    1 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Western Avenue

    1.7 mi · 4 min · South Western Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West 25th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West 25th Street

  22. 22

    Continue on Palos Verdes Drive South

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Palos Verdes Drive South

  23. 23

    Turn slight right

    95 m · 12 sec

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto Palos Verdes Drive South

    1.3 km · 2 min · Palos Verdes Drive South

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Barkentine Road

    109 m · 16 sec · Barkentine Road

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Barkentine Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and Rancho Palos Verdes.

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
26 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
64 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
11.4 mi · 28%
Garden Grove Freeway
10.2 mi · 25%
Palos Verdes Drive South
3.69 mi · 9%
South Alameda Street
3.09 mi · 8%
Harbor Freeway
1.98 mi · 5%
South Western Avenue
1.75 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

San Diego Freeway

Continue on San Diego Freeway

11.4 mi · 00h 13m

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
00h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.8 mi
29.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Signal Hill
00h 29m from Santa Ana
Leave By
4:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near Rancho Palos Verdes.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Rancho Palos Verdes?

The road trip is about 40.6 miles (65.3 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?

Signal Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Santa Ana and 20.3 miles from Rancho Palos Verdes.

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

The direct path is about 29.8 miles (48 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 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 4:30 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.25 one way or $16.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near Rancho Palos Verdes.

Stop Ideas Near Signal Hill

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 Signal Hill and the surrounding midpoint area.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
Stay option 11.6 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
Palos Verdes Estates City Hall
Meeting point 13.5 mi away

Palos Verdes Estates City Hall

Palos Verdes Estates , CA
340 Palos Verdes Dr W, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274, United States
Rating 5.0/5 8 reviews City or town hall,City government office
Rolling Hills Estates City Hall
Nearby stop 11.4 mi away

Rolling Hills Estates City Hall

Rolling Hills Estates , CA
4045 Palos Verdes Dr N, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274, United States
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Signal Hill.

BUS

Long Beach, California

4 mi away
601 North Long Beach Blvd.
BUS

Torrance, CA

12 mi away
20575 Hamilton Avenue
BUS

San Pedro (Catalina Terminal), California

12 mi away
1st Stop: N.Front & Swinford, Berth 95, Catalina
BUS

San Pedro (Downtown), California

14 mi away
931 S. Gaffey St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Rancho Palos Verdes. Straight-line distance: 29.83 mi (48 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
Rancho Palos Verdes

#2 Rancho Palos Verdes

A city in Los Angeles County, California.

Population40,855
Coordinates33.7444600, -118.3870200
Altitude67
CountryUnited States
Start: Santa Ana (-117.86783, 33.74557)
End: Rancho Palos Verdes (-118.38702, 33.74446)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 65 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.43 gal
5.42 L · about $8.25
Round trip
$16.50
2.86 gal · 10.84 L
Estimated CO2
12.7 kg one way
Round trip: 25.4 kg / 56 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $8.25 $16.50
Mid-grade $6.07 $8.67 $17.35
Premium $6.24 $8.93 $17.85
Diesel $7.57 $10.82 $21.64

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

There is no time difference between Santa Ana and Rancho Palos Verdes. The current time is 08:17:17.

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.