How far is Santa Ana, CA from West Carson, CA?

The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to West Carson, CA is about 28.8 miles (46.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 25 miles (40.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m 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
28.84 mi
00h 38m
Flight
24.95 mi
40.16 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Santa Ana.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
24.95 mi
Kilometers
40.16 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
28.84 mi
Kilometers
46.42 km
Drive Time
00h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Carson
Sun, Apr 19, 10:11 AM PDT
Return by in Santa Ana
Sun, Apr 19, 10:50 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Ana
2026-04-19T09:32
Arrive West Carson
Sun, Apr 19, 10:11 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:39 AM to 7:39 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:12 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

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
Rossmoor
CA

Census-designated place in Orange County, California, United States

From Santa Ana
14.4 mi
00h 19m
To West Carson
14.4 mi
00h 19m

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
76°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and West Carson.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and West Carson.

  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

    12.1 mi · 14 min · San Diego Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Wilmington Avenue

    1403 ft · 36 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Wilmington Avenue

    1117 ft · 32 sec · Wilmington Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 223rd Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · 223rd Street

  13. 13

    Continue on West 223rd Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · West 223rd Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South Vermont Avenue

    1089 ft · 31 sec · South Vermont Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right

    660 ft · 48 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and West Carson.

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
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
55.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
San Diego Freeway
12.1 mi · 42%
Garden Grove Freeway
10.2 mi · 35%
223rd Street
1.93 mi · 7%
North Broadway
1.47 mi · 5%
West 223rd Street
0.82 mi · 3%
CA 22 West
0.62 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

San Diego Freeway

Continue on San Diego Freeway

12.1 mi · 00h 14m

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 38m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.8 mi
25 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rossmoor
00h 19m from Santa Ana
Leave By
7:12 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near West Carson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to West Carson?

The road trip is about 28.8 miles (46.4 km) and usually takes 00h 38m 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?

Rossmoor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.4 miles from Santa Ana and 14.4 miles from West Carson.

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

The direct path is about 25 miles (40.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.88 one way or $11.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near West Carson.

Stop Ideas Near Rossmoor

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 Rossmoor and the surrounding midpoint area.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
Stay option 14.9 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
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
Scenic stop 12.9 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 Tustin Parks & Recreation
Meeting point 14.6 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
The City of Orange
Nearby stop 12.7 mi away

The City of Orange

Orange , CA
300 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92866, United States
Rating 5.0/5 15 reviews Business center

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Long Beach, California

10 mi away
601 North Long Beach Blvd.
BUS

San Pedro (Catalina Terminal), California

18 mi away
1st Stop: N.Front & Swinford, Berth 95, Catalina
RAIL

Fullerton Transportation Center

18 mi away
120 East Santa Fe Avenue
RAIL

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center

19 mi away
2150 East Katella Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and West Carson. Straight-line distance: 24.95 mi (40.16 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
West Carson

#2 West Carson

Census designated place

Population21,699
Coordinates33.8216800, -118.2925700
Altitude13
CountryUnited States
Start: Santa Ana (-117.86783, 33.74557)
End: West Carson (-118.29257, 33.82168)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 46 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.02 gal
3.85 L · about $5.88
Round trip
$11.77
2.04 gal · 7.7 L
Estimated CO2
9.1 kg one way
Round trip: 18.1 kg / 40 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $5.88 $11.77
Mid-grade $6.07 $6.19 $12.37
Premium $6.24 $6.37 $12.74
Diesel $7.57 $7.72 $15.44

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 West Carson. The current time is 09:32:31.

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.