How far is Santa Ana, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?

The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA is about 73.7 miles (118.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62.9 miles (101.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 55m 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
73.66 mi
01h 27m
Flight
62.86 mi
101.16 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
62.86 mi
Kilometers
101.16 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
73.66 mi
Kilometers
118.55 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Thousand Oaks
Sun, May 3, 2:39 AM PDT
Return by in Santa Ana
Sun, May 3, 4:06 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Ana
2026-05-03T01:11
Arrive Thousand Oaks
Sun, May 3, 2:39 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 AM PDT

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

Leave by
3:34 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

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
Glendale
CA

The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.

From Santa Ana
36.8 mi
00h 43m
To Thousand Oaks
36.8 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
73°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and Thousand Oaks.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Thousand Oaks.

  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

    8.9 mi · 10 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway

    18 mi · 21 min · Santa Ana Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Golden State Freeway

    10.7 mi · 13 min · Golden State Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura

    1842 ft · 24 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Ventura Freeway

    2950 ft · 38 sec · Ventura Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Ventura Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    1.2 km · 53 sec · Ventura Freeway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

    29.9 mi · 35 min · Ventura Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Hampshire Road

    782 ft · 10 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Hampshire Road, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks Boulevard

    95 m · 4 sec

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto Hampshire Road

    865 ft · 23 sec · Hampshire Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East Thousand Oaks Boulevard

    720 ft · 25 sec · East Thousand Oaks Boulevard

  17. 17

    Turn right

    19 m · 5 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and Thousand Oaks.

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
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ventura Freeway
33.1 mi · 45%
Santa Ana Freeway
26.9 mi · 37%
Golden State Freeway
10.7 mi · 15%
North Broadway
1.47 mi · 2%
Hampshire Road
0.37 mi · 1%
CA 134 West
0.35 mi
Longest Stretch

Ventura Freeway

Keep slight right to continue on Ventura Freeway

29.9 mi · 00h 35m

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 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.8 mi
62.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glendale
00h 43m from Santa Ana
Leave By
3:34 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near Thousand Oaks.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Thousand Oaks?

The road trip is about 73.7 miles (118.6 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?

Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.8 miles from Santa Ana and 36.8 miles from Thousand Oaks.

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

The direct path is about 62.9 miles (101.2 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 3:34 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.00 one way or $30.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near Thousand Oaks.

Stop Ideas Near Glendale

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 Glendale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
Stay option 11.1 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
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
Scenic stop 8.1 mi away

City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot

Beverly Hills , CA
9351 Civic Center Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Parking lot
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 5.1 mi away

City of Los Angeles

Los Angeles , CA
1149 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews E-commerce service
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.9 mi away

City Of El Monte Public Works Department

El Monte , CA
3990 Arden Dr, El Monte, CA 91731, United States
Rating 5.0/5 3 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glendale.

RAIL

Glendale Transportation Center

2 mi away
400 West Cerritos Avenue
RAIL

Los Angeles Union Station

10 mi away
800 North Alameda Street
BUS

La Crescenta, California

10 mi away
Honolulu & Lowell Avenue
BUS

Pasadena, California

11 mi away
150 South Los Robles Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Thousand Oaks. Straight-line distance: 62.86 mi (101.16 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
Thousand Oaks

#2 Thousand Oaks

The fifth most populous city in Ventura County, California.

Population126,310
Coordinates34.1705600, -118.8375900
Altitude270
CountryUnited States
Start: Santa Ana (-117.86783, 33.74557)
End: Thousand Oaks (-118.83759, 34.17056)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 119 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.6 gal
9.84 L · about $15.00
Round trip
$30.00
5.2 gal · 19.68 L
Estimated CO2
23.1 kg one way
Round trip: 46.2 kg / 102 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $15.00 $30.00
Mid-grade $6.07 $15.77 $31.54
Premium $6.24 $16.23 $32.46
Diesel $7.57 $19.67 $39.35

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Santa Ana and Thousand Oaks. The current time is 01:11:30.

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.