How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Los Angeles, CA?

The driving distance from Santa Clarita, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 33 miles (53.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 29 miles (46.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 23m 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
33.01 mi
00h 41m
Flight
29.01 mi
46.69 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Santa Clarita.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
29.01 mi
Kilometers
46.69 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
33.01 mi
Kilometers
53.12 km
Drive Time
00h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Los Angeles
Sat, Apr 18, 2:38 AM PDT
Return by in Santa Clarita
Sat, Apr 18, 3:20 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Clarita
2026-04-18T01:56
Arrive Los Angeles
Sat, Apr 18, 2:38 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:42 AM to 7:42 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:06 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Santa Clarita
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
Van Nuys
CA

Located in the central San Fernando Valley, this Los Angeles neighborhood is a densely populated area.

From Santa Clarita
15.7 mi
00h 20m
To Los Angeles
17.3 mi
00h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph ENE
Destination
81°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Clarita and Los Angeles.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Clarita and Los Angeles.

  1. 1

    Start on Newhall Avenue

    2208 ft · 2 min · Newhall Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 15th Street

    1350 ft · 1 min · 15th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · Railroad Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Newhall Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Newhall Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward CA 14 South: Los Angeles

    1079 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Antelope Valley Freeway

    1.3 mi · 1 min · Antelope Valley Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Antelope Valley Freeway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Antelope Valley Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    2606 ft · 36 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South

    1354 ft · 18 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    5.3 mi · 6 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood

    2508 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Hollywood Freeway

    16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Broadway

    636 ft · 17 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on West Aliso Street

    125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Spring Street

    1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West 1st Street

    108 m · 14 sec · West 1st Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Clarita and Los Angeles.

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
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
54.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 49%
I 405 South
5.56 mi · 17%
Antelope Valley Freeway
2.73 mi · 8%
Golden State Freeway
2.65 mi · 8%
Newhall Avenue
1.78 mi · 5%
Railroad Avenue
1.04 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Hollywood Freeway

Continue on Hollywood Freeway

16.2 mi · 00h 21m

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 41m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4 mi
29 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Van Nuys
00h 20m from Santa Clarita
Leave By
7:06 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Clarita and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Clarita to Los Angeles?

The road trip is about 33 miles (53.1 km) and usually takes 00h 41m 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?

Van Nuys is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.7 miles from Santa Clarita and 17.3 miles from Los Angeles.

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

The direct path is about 29 miles (46.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4 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 7:06 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.69 one way or $13.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Clarita and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.

Stop Ideas Near Van Nuys

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 Van Nuys and the surrounding midpoint area.
Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
Stay option 10.2 mi away

Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel

Beverly Hills , CA
9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, United States
Rating 4.7/5 2,377 reviews Hotel,Resort hotel,Wedding venue
City Hall Park Center
Scenic stop 14.6 mi away

City Hall Park Center

Los Angeles , CA
200 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Rating 4.5/5 43 reviews Park
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 14.7 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 14.4 mi away

Topanga Canyon Town Council

Topanga , CA
147 Old Topanga Canyon Rd, Topanga, CA 90290, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Automotive,Education and culture

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Van Nuys.

Transit stop coverage is not ready for this midpoint yet.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Clarita and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 29.01 mi (46.69 km).

Santa Clarita

#1 Santa Clarita

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

Population209,990
Coordinates34.3916600, -118.5425900
Altitude368
CountryUnited States
Los Angeles

#2 Los Angeles

The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Population3,970,219
Coordinates34.0522300, -118.2436800
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Start: Newhall Avenue (-118.542083, 34.39121)
End: West 1st Street (-118.243569, 34.052341)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 53 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.16 gal
4.41 L · about $6.69
Round trip
$13.38
2.32 gal · 8.82 L
Estimated CO2
10.3 kg one way
Round trip: 20.6 kg / 45 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $6.69 $13.38
Mid-grade $6.07 $7.04 $14.07
Premium $6.24 $7.24 $14.48
Diesel $7.57 $8.78 $17.56

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Santa Clarita and Los Angeles. The current time is 01:56:24.

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.