How far is Santa Ana, CA from Solana Beach, CA?

The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Solana Beach, CA is about 70.2 miles (113 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 53m 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
70.23 mi
01h 26m
Flight
62.47 mi
100.54 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
62.47 mi
Kilometers
100.54 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
70.23 mi
Kilometers
113.03 km
Drive Time
01h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Solana Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 9:49 AM PDT
Return by in Santa Ana
Sun, Apr 19, 11:16 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Ana
2026-04-19T08:22
Arrive Solana Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 9:49 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM PDT

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

Leave by
3:36 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
San Clemente
CA

The most populous city in Orange County, California.

From Santa Ana
35.2 mi
00h 43m
To Solana Beach
35.1 mi
00h 43m

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
66°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Solana Beach.

  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

    Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: John Wayne Airport

    3019 ft · 39 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South

    775 ft · 10 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway

    4.2 mi · 5 min · San Diego Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · San Diego Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

    58.6 mi · 1 hr 9 min · San Diego Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward CR S8: Lomas Santa Fe Drive

    1758 ft · 47 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Lomas Santa Fe Drive

    1.4 km · 2 min · Lomas Santa Fe Drive

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South Cedros Avenue

    665 ft · 21 sec · South Cedros Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right

    47 m · 12 sec

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn right

    113 m · 27 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
64 mi · 91%
South Main Street
3.13 mi · 4%
Lomas Santa Fe Drive
0.85 mi · 1%
I 405 South
0.72 mi · 1%
Costa Mesa Freeway
0.39 mi · 1%
CR S8
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

San Diego Freeway

Keep slight right to continue on San Diego Freeway

58.6 mi · 01h 09m

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 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.8 mi
62.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Clemente
00h 43m from Santa Ana
Leave By
3:36 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near Solana Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Solana Beach?

The road trip is about 70.2 miles (113 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?

San Clemente is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.2 miles from Santa Ana and 35.1 miles from Solana Beach.

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

The direct path is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 3:36 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.31 one way or $28.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near Solana Beach.

Stop Ideas Near San Clemente

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 San Clemente and the surrounding midpoint area.
Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Coffee break 8.9 mi away

Blue Lantern Inn, A Four Sisters Inn

Dana Point , CA
34343 Street of the Blue Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.7/5 233 reviews Hotel,Bed & breakfast,Lodge
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Stay option 9.9 mi away

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Dana Point , CA
One Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.6/5 2,544 reviews Hotel,Meeting planning service,Wedding venue
Laguna Niguel City Hall
Meeting point 12.1 mi away

Laguna Niguel City Hall

Laguna Niguel , CA
30111 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, United States
Rating 4.4/5 7 reviews City or town hall,City government office
Doheny State Beach Campground
Nearby stop 7.6 mi away

Doheny State Beach Campground

Dana Point , CA
34381 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
Rating 4.3/5 53 reviews Campground,Public beach

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Clemente.

RAIL

San Clemente Pier station

1 mi away
Avenida del Mar and Avenida Victoria
RAIL

San Juan Capistrano

10 mi away
26701 Verdugo Street
RAIL

Irvine Transportation Center

31 mi away
15215 Barranca Parkway
RAIL

Oceanside Transit Center

34 mi away
235 South Tremont Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Solana Beach. Straight-line distance: 62.47 mi (100.54 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
Solana Beach

#2 Solana Beach

City in San Diego County, California, United States

Population13,190
Coordinates32.9911500, -117.2711500
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Start: Santa Ana (-117.86783, 33.74557)
End: Solana Beach (-117.27115, 32.99115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 113 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.48 gal
9.38 L · about $14.31
Round trip
$28.61
4.96 gal · 18.76 L
Estimated CO2
22 kg one way
Round trip: 44.1 kg / 97 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $14.31 $28.61
Mid-grade $6.07 $15.04 $30.09
Premium $6.24 $15.48 $30.97
Diesel $7.57 $18.77 $37.53

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 Solana Beach. The current time is 08:22:46.

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.