How far is Santa Monica, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Monica, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 48.9 miles (78.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m 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 54m.
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.
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Monica and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Monica and Santa Ana.
-
1
Start on Lincoln Boulevard
2464 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Olympic Boulevard
112 m · 11 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
1.1 km · 43 sec · Pomona Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Santa Ana
2143 ft · 52 sec
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9
Merge slight right onto Golden State Freeway
1842 ft · 29 sec · Golden State Freeway
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10
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
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14
Turn straight onto North Broadway
2613 ft · 58 sec · North Broadway
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15
Turn left onto West 17th Street
684 ft · 26 sec · West 17th Street
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16
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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17
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
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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 Monica and Santa Ana.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Santa Ana Freeway
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Santa Monica and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 48.9 miles (78.7 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?
Bell Gardens is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.1 miles from Santa Monica and 25.8 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:42 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.98 one way or $19.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Santa Monica and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Bell Gardens
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 Bell Gardens.
Los Angeles Union Station
Torrance, CA
Glendale Transportation Center
Pasadena, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Monica and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 40.46 mi (65.11 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 Santa Ana
The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.
| Population | 331,301 |
| Coordinates | 33.7455700, -117.8678300 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 1st Street (-117.86783, 33.745553)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 79 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.98 | $19.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.49 | $20.99 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.80 | $21.60 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $13.09 | $26.18 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.