How far is Santa Ana, CA from San Joaquin Hills, CA?

The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to San Joaquin Hills, CA is about 12.9 miles (20.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 9.4 miles (15.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
12.89 mi
00h 20m
Flight
9.42 mi
15.16 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Santa Ana.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
9.42 mi
Kilometers
15.16 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
12.89 mi
Kilometers
20.75 km
Drive Time
00h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Joaquin Hills
Sun, Apr 19, 3:00 AM PDT
Return by in Santa Ana
Sun, Apr 19, 3:21 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Ana
2026-04-19T02:39
Arrive San Joaquin Hills
Sun, Apr 19, 3:00 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:21 AM to 7:21 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:48 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Santa Ana
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

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
Costa Mesa
CA

The most populous city in Orange County, California.

From Santa Ana
6.5 mi
00h 10m
To San Joaquin Hills
6.5 mi
00h 10m

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
71°F
Sunday

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and San Joaquin Hills.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and San Joaquin Hills.

  1. 1

    Start on West 1st Street

    79 m · 11 sec · West 1st Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West 1st Street

    109 m · 17 sec · West 1st Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    3.1 mi · 6 min · South Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East MacArthur Boulevard

    1548 ft · 32 sec · East MacArthur Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach

    988 ft · 15 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway

    2066 ft · 27 sec · Costa Mesa Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Costa Mesa Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Costa Mesa Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 73 South: San Diego via Toll Road

    1.5 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Corona Del Mar Freeway

    2 mi · 2 min · Corona Del Mar Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

    2.4 mi · 3 min · San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Newport Coast Drive

    2186 ft · 53 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Newport Coast Drive

    1.3 km · 1 min · Newport Coast Drive

  13. 13

    Turn right onto San Joaquin Hills Road

    1086 ft · 26 sec · San Joaquin Hills Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Newport Ridge Drive East

    2630 ft · 1 min · Newport Ridge Drive East

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Menton

    60 m · 11 sec · Menton

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Clermont

    554 ft · 30 sec · Clermont

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Versailles

    673 ft · 29 sec · Versailles

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Villeneuve

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and San Joaquin Hills.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
139.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Main Street
3.13 mi · 24%
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
2.39 mi · 19%
Corona Del Mar Freeway
1.98 mi · 15%
Costa Mesa Freeway
1.7 mi · 13%
Newport Coast Drive
1.21 mi · 9%
CA 73 South
0.92 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

South Main Street

Turn right onto South Main Street

3.13 mi · 00h 06m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 20m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.5 mi
9.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Costa Mesa
00h 10m from Santa Ana
Leave By
7:48 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near San Joaquin Hills.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to San Joaquin Hills?

The road trip is about 12.9 miles (20.8 km) and usually takes 00h 20m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Costa Mesa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.5 miles from Santa Ana and 6.5 miles from San Joaquin Hills.

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

The direct path is about 9.4 miles (15.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:48 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.60 one way or $5.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Ana and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near San Joaquin Hills.

Stop Ideas Near Costa Mesa

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 Costa Mesa and the surrounding midpoint area.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Stay option 10.1 mi away

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Anaheim , CA
1600 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802, United States
Rating 4.7/5 9,122 reviews Hotel,Resort hotel
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 3.6 mi away

Newport Beach Municipal Operations

Newport Beach , CA
592 Superior Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Government office,Park
City of Lake Forest
Practical stop 11.9 mi away

City of Lake Forest

Costa Mesa
Rating 4.8/5 12 reviews Government office,Service establishment
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Meeting point 6.3 mi away

City of Tustin Parks & Recreation

Tustin , CA
300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780, United States
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Costa Mesa.

RAIL

Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

14 mi away
1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

15 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center

18 mi away
2150 East Katella Avenue
RAIL

Fullerton Transportation Center

25 mi away
120 East Santa Fe Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and San Joaquin Hills. Straight-line distance: 9.42 mi (15.16 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 San Joaquin Hills

Census designated place

Population3,176
Coordinates33.6116900, -117.8367200
Altitude190
CountryUnited States
Start: Santa Ana (-117.86783, 33.74557)
End: San Joaquin Hills (-117.83672, 33.61169)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 21 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.45 gal
1.72 L · about $2.60
Round trip
$5.19
0.9 gal · 3.44 L
Estimated CO2
4 kg one way
Round trip: 8 kg / 18 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $2.60 $5.19
Mid-grade $6.07 $2.73 $5.46
Premium $6.24 $2.81 $5.62
Diesel $7.57 $3.41 $6.81

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 San Joaquin Hills. The current time is 02:39:40.

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.