How far is Universal City, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance from Universal City, CA to Irvine, CA is about 55.5 miles (89.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.5 miles (71.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 36m 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 18m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Sunny
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Universal City and Irvine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Universal City and Irvine.
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1
Start on the route
25 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn left onto Cylon Drive
121 m · 29 sec · Cylon Drive
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3
Keep slight left
40 m · 13 sec
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto James Stewart Avenue
2469 ft · 2 min · James Stewart Avenue
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5
Turn right
932 ft · 1 min
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Barham Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Barham Boulevard
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7
Turn right
51 m · 6 sec
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8
Turn slight right onto Cahuenga Boulevard West
101 m · 12 sec · Cahuenga Boulevard West
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9
Take the ramp right toward US 101 South
637 ft · 18 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Hollywood Freeway
8 mi · 11 min · Hollywood Freeway
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11
Continue on Santa Ana Freeway
29.4 mi · 35 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 left
788 ft · 10 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
2131 ft · 28 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: John Wayne Airport
3019 ft · 39 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South
775 ft · 10 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Diego Freeway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Universal City and Irvine.
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.
Sunny leaving Universal City and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Universal City to Irvine?
The road trip is about 55.5 miles (89.3 km) and usually takes 01h 18m 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 25.4 miles from Universal City and 30.1 miles from Irvine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.5 miles (71.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11 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 3:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.31 one way or $22.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Universal City and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
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 Universal City and Irvine. Straight-line distance: 44.46 mi (71.55 km).
#1 Universal City
Universal City is a place in California, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.1389000, -118.3534100 |
| Altitude | 230 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-117.823114, 33.669436)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $11.31 | $22.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $11.89 | $23.78 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $12.24 | $24.47 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $14.83 | $29.66 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.