How far is South El Monte, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from South El Monte, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.5 miles (37.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m 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 38m.
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.
A city in Los Angeles County, California.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South El Monte and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South El Monte and Santa Ana.
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1
Start on Rush Street
1299 ft · 36 sec · Rush Street
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2
Turn right onto Santa Anita Avenue
1626 ft · 42 sec · Santa Anita Avenue
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3
Continue on Santa Anita Avenue
133 m · 17 sec · Santa Anita Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Michael Hunt Drive
3007 ft · 2 min · Michael Hunt Drive
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5
Turn right onto Peck Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Peck Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 605 South
2114 ft · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto San Gabriel River Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · San Gabriel River Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South, I 5 North: Santa Ana, Los Angeles
909 ft · 22 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Santa Ana, Florence Avenue
871 ft · 21 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Santa Ana
1460 ft · 36 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
16.6 mi · 19 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
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15
Turn straight onto North Broadway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
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16
Turn left onto West 5th Street
639 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
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17
Turn right onto North Main Street
1209 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
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18
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South El Monte and Santa Ana.
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 Ana Freeway
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
16.6 mi · 00h 19m
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 South El Monte 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 South El Monte to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km) and usually takes 00h 38m 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?
La Mirada is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.5 miles from South El Monte and 15.7 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.5 miles (37.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 7:12 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.12 one way or $12.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South El Monte and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near La Mirada
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
Anaheim City Clerk
The City of Orange
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to La Mirada.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
Long Beach, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South El Monte and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 23.53 mi (37.86 km).
#1 South El Monte
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 21,126 |
| Coordinates | 34.0519500, -118.0467300 |
| Altitude | 76 |
| 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: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 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 | $6.12 | $12.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $6.43 | $12.86 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $6.62 | $13.24 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $8.02 | $16.04 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.