How far is Santa Ana, CA from Ridgecrest, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Ridgecrest, CA is about 160.4 miles (258.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.2 miles (209.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in San Bernardino County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and Ridgecrest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Ridgecrest.
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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
1.3 km · 55 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 57 North: Pomona
11.9 mi · 14 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Orange Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Orange Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Orange Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Orange Freeway
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9
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
16.5 mi · 19 min · Pomona Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San Diego
1822 ft · 44 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 15 North: Barstow
1.1 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Ontario Freeway
17.1 mi · 19 min · Ontario Freeway
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13
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.8 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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14
Continue on CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.4 mi · 6 min · CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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16
Take the exit right toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
1549 ft · 38 sec
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17
Continue on US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
1.4 km · 2 min
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18
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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19
Continue on Red Mountain Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Red Mountain Road
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20
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
16.1 mi · 19 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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21
Turn slight right onto South China Lake Boulevard
6.1 mi · 9 min · South China Lake Boulevard
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22
Turn left onto West Ridgecrest Boulevard
127 m · 26 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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23
Continue on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
23 m · 3 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and Ridgecrest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 01h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near Ridgecrest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Ridgecrest?
The road trip is about 160.4 miles (258.2 km) and usually takes 03h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Adelanto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.3 miles from Santa Ana and 80.1 miles from Ridgecrest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.2 miles (209.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:30 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.65 one way or $65.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near Ridgecrest.
Stop Ideas Near Adelanto
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 Adelanto.
Victor Valley Transportation Center
Victorville, CA
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Ridgecrest. Straight-line distance: 130.16 mi (209.48 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 Ridgecrest
City in California
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 35.6224600, -117.6709000 |
| Altitude | 698 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ridgecrest (-117.6709, 35.62246)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $32.65 | $65.31 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $34.33 | $68.67 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $35.34 | $70.67 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $42.83 | $85.66 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.