How far is Waterford, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance from Waterford, CA to Irvine, CA is about 356.7 miles (574 km), with a travel time of about 05h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 320.1 miles (515.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 59m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Kern County, 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 Waterford and Irvine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterford and Irvine.
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1
Start on E Street
14 m · 4 sec · E Street
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2
Turn right onto Bentley Street
116 m · 19 sec · Bentley Street
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3
Turn left onto F Street
1017 ft · 21 sec · F Street
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4
Continue on Hickman Road
10.1 mi · 18 min · Hickman Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Avenue
1254 ft · 29 sec · East Avenue
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6
Turn sharp left onto Santa Fe Avenue
1701 ft · 29 sec · Santa Fe Avenue
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7
Continue on Santa Fe Drive
12.1 mi · 18 min · Santa Fe Drive
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8
Turn right onto Shaffer Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Shaffer Road
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9
Turn left onto Atwater Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Atwater Boulevard
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10
Take the ramp straight
907 ft · 22 sec
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11
Merge slight left
61.5 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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12
Keep slight left
41 mi · 44 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Highway
58.6 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Golden State Highway
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14
Continue on Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
27.4 mi · 30 min · Golden State Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Golden State Freeway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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19
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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21
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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24
Keep slight left
788 ft · 10 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South
981 ft · 13 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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27
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.2 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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28
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
2131 ft · 28 sec
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30
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: John Wayne Airport
3019 ft · 39 sec
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32
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 South
775 ft · 10 sec
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33
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · San Diego Freeway
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Diego Freeway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterford and Irvine.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Atwater Boulevard
Merge slight left
61.5 mi · 01h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waterford and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterford to Irvine?
The road trip is about 356.7 miles (574 km) and usually takes 05h 59m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
McFarland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 172.9 miles from Waterford and 183.8 miles from Irvine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 320.1 miles (515.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:02 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $72.63 one way or $145.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waterford and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Stop Ideas Near McFarland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McFarland.
Wasco station
Bakersfield
Corcoran station
Visalia, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterford and Irvine. Straight-line distance: 320.12 mi (515.18 km).
#1 Waterford
City in Stanislaus County, California, United States
| Population | 8,944 |
| Coordinates | 37.6413200, -120.7604800 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| 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: 574 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $72.63 | $145.26 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $76.37 | $152.74 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $78.60 | $157.20 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $95.27 | $190.54 |
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.