How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Thousand Oaks, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 78.2 miles (125.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 62.9 miles (101.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 42m 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 01h 21m.
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.
District in Los Angeles, California, United States
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 Thousand Oaks and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thousand Oaks and Santa Ana.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn left onto East Thousand Oaks Boulevard
665 ft · 21 sec · East Thousand Oaks Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto Hampshire Road
1429 ft · 41 sec · Hampshire Road
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4
Turn left onto US 101 South, CA 23 South
1488 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Ventura Freeway
27.4 mi · 32 min · Ventura Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Route 101
1 km · 44 sec · Route 101
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7
Merge slight left onto Hollywood Freeway
10.3 mi · 14 min · Hollywood Freeway
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8
Continue on Santa Ana Freeway
29.4 mi · 35 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
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Broadway
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13
Turn left onto West 5th Street
639 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
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14
Turn right onto North Main Street
1209 ft · 31 sec · 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 Thousand Oaks 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
Continue on Santa Ana Freeway
29.4 mi · 00h 35m
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 Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 78.2 miles (125.8 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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?
Hollywood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.7 miles from Thousand Oaks and 42.5 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 62.9 miles (101.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.3 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 3:48 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.92 one way or $31.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Thousand Oaks and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Hollywood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bell Gardens Inn Los Angeles
City of Beverly Hills Parking Lot
City of Los Angeles
City Of El Monte Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hollywood.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thousand Oaks and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 62.86 mi (101.16 km).
#1 Thousand Oaks
The fifth most populous city in Ventura County, California.
| Population | 126,310 |
| Coordinates | 34.1705600, -118.8375900 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| 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: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $15.92 | $31.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $16.74 | $33.48 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $17.23 | $34.46 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $20.88 | $41.77 |
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 · May 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.