How far is Santa Monica, CA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Monica, CA to Santa Clarita, CA is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.9 miles (41.7 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.
Located in the central San Fernando Valley, this Los Angeles neighborhood is a densely populated 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 Santa Clarita.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Monica and Santa Clarita.
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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
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
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
1.5 mi · 2 min
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9
Keep slight left
4.8 mi · 5 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Lyons Avenue, Pico Canyon Road
878 ft · 21 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Lyons Avenue, Newhall, William S. Hart Park, The Master's University
149 m · 12 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Lyons Avenue
1604 ft · 36 sec · Lyons Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Wiley Canyon Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Wiley Canyon Road
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14
Turn right onto Orchard Village Road
936 ft · 25 sec · Orchard Village Road
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15
Turn left onto 16th Street
1674 ft · 46 sec · 16th Street
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16
Turn left onto Newhall Avenue
137 m · 20 sec · Newhall Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Newhall Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Monica and Santa Clarita.
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.
San Diego Freeway
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
19 mi · 00h 22m
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 Santa Clarita.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to Santa Clarita?
The road trip is about 32.2 miles (51.8 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?
Van Nuys is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.6 miles from Santa Monica and 15.5 miles from Santa Clarita.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.9 miles (41.7 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 $7.14 one way or $14.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Santa Monica and Sunny near Santa Clarita.
Stop Ideas Near Van Nuys
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Beverly Hilton
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
Calabasas City Hall
City of Santa Clarita: Newhall Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Van Nuys.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Monica and Santa Clarita. Straight-line distance: 25.89 mi (41.66 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 Clarita
The second most populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
| Population | 209,990 |
| Coordinates | 34.3916600, -118.5425900 |
| Altitude | 368 |
| Country | United States |
End: Newhall Avenue (-118.542083, 34.39121)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 52 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 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 | $7.14 | $14.28 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $7.41 | $14.82 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $7.63 | $15.25 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $9.59 | $19.18 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026