How far is Santa Monica, CA from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Monica, CA to El Monte, CA is about 29.8 miles (47.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.8 miles (43.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 24m 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 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City five miles (8.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Monica and El Monte.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Monica and El Monte.
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1
Start on Lincoln Boulevard
2464 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Olympic Boulevard
112 m · 9 sec · Olympic Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 East: Santa Monica Freeway, Los Angeles
1351 ft · 35 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Santa Monica Freeway
9.8 mi · 11 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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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
11.7 mi · 13 min · Pomona Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 605 North, I 605 South
581 ft · 14 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 605 North: San Gabriel River Freeway
2117 ft · 51 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto San Gabriel River Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · San Gabriel River Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 West, I 10 East: Los Angeles, San Bernardino
932 ft · 23 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 605 North, I 10 West: Los Angeles
1267 ft · 31 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: Los Angeles
1235 ft · 30 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1645 ft · 22 sec · San Bernardino Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Valley Boulevard
1320 ft · 34 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Monica and El Monte.
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.
Pomona Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Pomona Freeway
11.7 mi · 00h 13m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Monica and Mostly Sunny near El Monte.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to El Monte?
The road trip is about 29.8 miles (47.9 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?
Vernon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.3 miles from Santa Monica and 13.4 miles from El Monte.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.8 miles (43.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 7:06 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.06 one way or $12.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Monica and Mostly Sunny near El Monte.
Stop Ideas Near Vernon
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 Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Vernon.
Los Angeles Union Station
Glendale Transportation Center
Westchester, CA
Pasadena, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Monica and El Monte. Straight-line distance: 26.76 mi (43.06 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 El Monte
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 112,344 |
| Coordinates | 34.0686200, -118.0275700 |
| Altitude | 91 |
| Country | United States |
End: Valley Boulevard (-118.027582, 34.068609)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 48 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $6.06 | $12.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.37 | $12.74 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.56 | $13.11 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $7.95 | $15.89 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.