How far is Trabuco Canyon, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Trabuco Canyon, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17 miles (27.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 08m 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 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in California, United States of America
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 Trabuco Canyon and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Trabuco Canyon and Santa Ana.
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1
Start on Trabuco Oaks Drive
1055 ft · 44 sec · Trabuco Oaks Drive
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Trabuco Canyon Road
1 mi · 2 min · Trabuco Canyon Road
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3
Continue on Plano Trabuco Drive
3012 ft · 2 min · Plano Trabuco Drive
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4
Turn right onto Santa Margarita Parkway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Santa Margarita Parkway
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 241 Toll North
1628 ft · 21 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Foothill Transportation Corridor
7.6 mi · 9 min · Foothill Transportation Corridor
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 133 South: Laguna Beach
1.1 mi · 1 min
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8
Continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
2965 ft · 39 sec · Eastern Transportation Corridor
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Irvine Boulevard
1661 ft · 26 sec
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10
Turn right onto Irvine Boulevard
5.1 mi · 8 min · Irvine Boulevard
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11
Turn left onto Red Hill Avenue
2650 ft · 57 sec · Red Hill Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Bryan Avenue
1478 ft · 29 sec · Bryan Avenue
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13
Continue on East Main Street
1362 ft · 29 sec · East Main Street
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14
Turn left onto Newport Avenue
2258 ft · 46 sec · Newport Avenue
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15
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
1127 ft · 17 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward First Street, Fourth Street
768 ft · 10 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on First Street
1147 ft · 15 sec
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19
Turn straight onto Mabury Street
88 m · 10 sec · Mabury Street
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20
Turn right onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Trabuco Canyon 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.
Foothill Transportation Corridor
Merge slight left onto Foothill Transportation Corridor
7.62 mi · 00h 09m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Trabuco Canyon 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 Trabuco Canyon to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km) and usually takes 00h 34m 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?
Foothill Ranch is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.4 miles from Trabuco Canyon and 12.7 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17 miles (27.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.1 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 7:22 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.90 one way or $9.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Trabuco Canyon and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Foothill Ranch
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Newport Beach Municipal Operations
City of Lake Forest
City of Tustin Parks & Recreation
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Foothill Ranch.
Irvine Transportation Center
Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center
San Juan Capistrano
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Trabuco Canyon and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 16.95 mi (27.28 km).
#1 Trabuco Canyon
Unincorporated community in California
| Population | 3,000 |
| Coordinates | 33.6625200, -117.5903300 |
| Altitude | 317 |
| 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: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $4.90 | $9.81 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $5.16 | $10.31 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $5.31 | $10.61 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $6.43 | $12.86 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.