How far is Santa Monica, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Monica, CA to Downey, CA is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.3 miles (34.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Monica and Downey.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Monica and Downey.
-
1
Start on Lincoln Boulevard
2464 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
-
2
Turn left onto Olympic Boulevard
112 m · 9 sec · Olympic Boulevard
-
3
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 East: Santa Monica Freeway, Los Angeles
1351 ft · 35 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
9.8 mi · 11 min · Santa Monica Freeway
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Monica Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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6
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway
1.1 km · 43 sec · Pomona Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Santa Ana
2143 ft · 52 sec
-
9
Merge slight right onto Golden State Freeway
1842 ft · 29 sec · Golden State Freeway
-
10
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Paramount Boulevard, Downey
1389 ft · 34 sec
-
12
Turn straight onto Paramount Boulevard
156 m · 18 sec · Paramount Boulevard
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13
Turn left onto Gallatin Road
1564 ft · 46 sec · Gallatin Road
-
14
Turn right onto Downey Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Downey Avenue
-
15
Turn left onto Firestone Boulevard
677 ft · 25 sec · Firestone Boulevard
-
16
Continue on Firestone Boulevard
159 m · 18 sec · Firestone Boulevard
-
17
Turn right
13 m · 3 sec
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Monica and Downey.
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.
Santa Monica Freeway
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
9.85 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Santa Monica and Sunny near Downey.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to Downey?
The road trip is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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?
Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.2 miles from Santa Monica and 14.3 miles from Downey.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.3 miles (34.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 7:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.60 one way or $11.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Monica and Sunny near Downey.
Stop Ideas Near Los Angeles
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of South El Monte City Hall
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Topanga Town Council
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
Pasadena, California
Westchester, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Monica and Downey. Straight-line distance: 21.27 mi (34.23 km).
#1 Santa Monica
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 90,024 |
| Coordinates | 34.0194500, -118.4911900 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Downey
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 109,202 |
| Coordinates | 33.9400100, -118.1325700 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-118.132615, 33.940036)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 44 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $5.60 | $11.19 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $5.88 | $11.77 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.06 | $12.11 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $7.34 | $14.68 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.