How far is Santa Monica, CA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Monica, CA to Lancaster, CA is about 71.4 miles (114.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51.1 miles (82.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 19m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
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 Lancaster.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Monica and Lancaster.
-
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
2.5 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North: Sacramento
1.2 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
19 mi · 22 min · San Diego Freeway
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7
Merge slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
41.8 mi · 48 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue K
1225 ft · 34 sec
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11
Turn right onto West Avenue K
2284 ft · 59 sec · West Avenue K
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12
Turn left onto 10th Street West
1 mi · 2 min · 10th Street West
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13
Turn right onto West Avenue J
1.2 km · 1 min · West Avenue J
-
14
Turn left onto Sierra Highway
3256 ft · 1 min · Sierra Highway
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sierra Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Monica and Lancaster.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
CA 14 North
Keep slight right to continue on CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
41.8 mi · 00h 48m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Santa Monica and Mostly Sunny near Lancaster.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to Lancaster?
The road trip is about 71.4 miles (114.9 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?
Santa Clarita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.5 miles from Santa Monica and 35.9 miles from Lancaster.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51.1 miles (82.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.54 one way or $29.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Monica and Mostly Sunny near Lancaster.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Clarita
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Acdd, Inc.
City of Santa Clarita City Hall
City of Santa Clarita: Newhall Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita-Newhall, California
Chatsworth station
Simi Valley
Van Nuys station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Monica and Lancaster. Straight-line distance: 51.06 mi (82.17 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 Lancaster
The most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 155,822 |
| Coordinates | 34.6980400, -118.1367400 |
| Altitude | 719 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sierra Highway (-118.136881, 34.698025)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 115 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $14.54 | $29.08 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $15.29 | $30.57 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $15.73 | $31.46 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $19.07 | $38.14 |
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.