How far is South Pasadena, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from South Pasadena, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 34.2 miles (55.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.3 miles (48.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 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 00h 49m.
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 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 South Pasadena and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Pasadena and Santa Ana.
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1
Start on Fair Oaks Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Fair Oaks Avenue
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2
Turn slight right
134 m · 18 sec
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3
Turn straight onto Huntington Drive
88 m · 13 sec · Huntington Drive
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4
Turn left onto Fremont Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · Fremont Avenue
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5
Turn right onto West Valley Boulevard
3146 ft · 1 min · West Valley Boulevard
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6
Turn left onto Long Beach Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Long Beach Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 5 South: Santa Ana
1984 ft · 48 sec
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8
Merge slight right onto Santa Ana Freeway
23.5 mi · 27 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
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12
Turn straight onto North Broadway
2613 ft · 58 sec · North Broadway
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13
Turn left onto West 17th Street
684 ft · 26 sec · West 17th Street
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14
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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15
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Pasadena 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 right onto Santa Ana Freeway
23.5 mi · 00h 27m
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 South Pasadena 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 Pasadena to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 34.2 miles (55.1 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?
Norwalk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.1 miles from South Pasadena and 17.1 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.3 miles (48.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 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 4:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.98 one way or $13.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around South Pasadena and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Norwalk
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
City Hall Companion Restroom
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Norwalk.
Fullerton Transportation Center
Long Beach, California
Torrance, CA
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Pasadena and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 30.3 mi (48.76 km).
#1 South Pasadena
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 24,995 |
| Coordinates | 34.1161200, -118.1503500 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| 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: 55 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $6.98 | $13.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $7.34 | $14.68 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $7.55 | $15.11 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $9.16 | $18.31 |
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.