Best Time to Drive from Anaheim to Santa Monica

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 38 minutes via I-5 North and I-10 West, usually 39 at this time.

On weekdays the 40-mile drive from Anaheim to Santa Monica (via I-5 North and I-10 West) usually takes as little as 35 minutes and up to 58 minutes, when leaving around 8 am on Tuesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 7:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 45 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 2:30 pm on Saturdays (47 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Anaheim to Santa Monica by day and time you leave (local time)
Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	36	43	51	55	50	46	44	43	43	43	43	44	44	41	38	37	36
Tue	35	44	53	58	53	48	46	44	42	42	43	45	46	44	39	37	36
Wed	35	44	54	57	53	48	45	45	43	44	44	46	48	45	40	37	36
Thu	35	44	53	58	53	48	46	45	44	46	46	48	50	46	40	38	37
Fri	35	41	48	51	49	47	46	47	48	50	50	49	49	45	40	38	37
Sat	36	37	37	38	39	42	44	45	46	46	46	45	43	40	39	38	37
Sun	36	36	36	36	37	39	41	43	45	45	44	42	41	40	39	40	37

Simulated from typical freeway speeds at each point of the drive for the time you would reach it, from every 5-minute reading we have recorded. Surface streets at each end are estimated.

Questions

What is the best time to drive from Anaheim to Santa Monica?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 7:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 35 minutes then, versus up to 58 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Anaheim to Santa Monica?

The 40-mile drive usually takes 35 to 58 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 45 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Anaheim to Santa Monica?

Leaving around 8 am on Tuesdays is usually slowest, about 58 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Santa Monica to Anaheim (return trip) · Anaheim to Los Angeles · Anaheim to Pasadena · Anaheim to Long Beach · Anaheim to Burbank · Anaheim to Glendale · Anaheim to Santa Clarita · Anaheim to Van Nuys · Anaheim to Torrance · Anaheim to LAX · Anaheim to Hollywood · Anaheim to Culver City

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	36	43	51	55	50	46	44	43	43	43	43	44	44	41	38	37	36
Tue	35	44	53	58	53	48	46	44	42	42	43	45	46	44	39	37	36
Wed	35	44	54	57	53	48	45	45	43	44	44	46	48	45	40	37	36
Thu	35	44	53	58	53	48	46	45	44	46	46	48	50	46	40	38	37
Fri	35	41	48	51	49	47	46	47	48	50	50	49	49	45	40	38	37
Sat	36	37	37	38	39	42	44	45	46	46	46	45	43	40	39	38	37
Sun	36	36	36	36	37	39	41	43	45	45	44	42	41	40	39	40	37

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	36	43	51	55	50	46	44	43	43	43	43	44	44	41	38	37	36
Tue	35	44	53	58	53	48	46	44	42	42	43	45	46	44	39	37	36
Wed	35	44	54	57	53	48	45	45	43	44	44	46	48	45	40	37	36
Thu	35	44	53	58	53	48	46	45	44	46	46	48	50	46	40	38	37
Fri	35	41	48	51	49	47	46	47	48	50	50	49	49	45	40	38	37
Sat	36	37	37	38	39	42	44	45	46	46	46	45	43	40	39	38	37
Sun	36	36	36	36	37	39	41	43	45	45	44	42	41	40	39	40	37

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	36	43	51	55	50	46	44	43	43	43	43	44	44	41	38	37	36
Tue	35	44	53	58	53	48	46	44	42	42	43	45	46	44	39	37	36
Wed	35	44	54	57	53	48	45	45	43	44	44	46	48	45	40	37	36
Thu	35	44	53	58	53	48	46	45	44	46	46	48	50	46	40	38	37
Fri	35	41	48	51	49	47	46	47	48	50	50	49	49	45	40	38	37
Sat	36	37	37	38	39	42	44	45	46	46	46	45	43	40	39	38	37
Sun	36	36	36	36	37	39	41	43	45	45	44	42	41	40	39	40	37