How far is Santa Monica, CA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Monica, CA to Pasadena, CA is about 33 miles (53.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.7 miles (35 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m 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 00h 46m.
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 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
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Monica and Pasadena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Monica and Pasadena.
-
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 left to continue on Santa Monica Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Santa Monica Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight left toward CA 110 North: Pasadena
3032 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Harbor Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Freeway
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8
Continue on Arroyo Seco Parkway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Arroyo Seco Parkway
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9
Continue on South Arroyo Parkway
1.3 mi · 3 min · South Arroyo Parkway
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10
Turn right onto East Colorado Boulevard
992 ft · 26 sec · East Colorado Boulevard
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11
Turn left onto North Garfield Avenue
658 ft · 26 sec · North Garfield Avenue
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12
Turn left onto East Holly Street
22 m · 3 sec · East Holly Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Holly Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Monica and Pasadena.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Santa Monica and Sunny near Pasadena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to Pasadena?
The road trip is about 33 miles (53.1 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Los Angeles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.6 miles from Santa Monica and 20.4 miles from Pasadena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.7 miles (35 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.3 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 4:56 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.26 one way or $14.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Monica and Sunny near Pasadena.
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 Pasadena. Straight-line distance: 21.73 mi (34.97 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 Pasadena
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 141,045 |
| Coordinates | 34.1477800, -118.1445200 |
| Altitude | 263 |
| Country | United States |
End: Holly Street (-118.144519, 34.147641)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $7.26 | $14.53 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $7.54 | $15.08 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $7.76 | $15.52 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $9.76 | $19.52 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026