Best Time to Drive from Irvine to Los Angeles

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

On weekdays the 39-mile drive from Irvine to Los Angeles (via I-5 North) usually takes as little as 35 minutes and up to 52 minutes, when leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 7:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 42 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (43 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Irvine to Los Angeles 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	35	41	45	48	44	42	41	41	42	42	44	46	48	44	38	37	36
Tue	35	41	46	49	46	44	43	42	41	41	44	47	50	47	41	37	36
Wed	35	41	46	49	46	44	42	43	42	42	45	49	52	49	41	38	36
Thu	35	41	45	48	46	43	42	42	42	43	45	48	51	47	41	38	36
Fri	35	40	43	45	43	43	43	43	44	46	50	50	52	48	40	38	36
Sat	36	36	37	38	38	40	41	41	42	42	43	43	41	39	39	38	36
Sun	35	36	36	36	37	38	40	41	42	42	42	41	40	39	39	40	36

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 Irvine to Los Angeles?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 7:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 35 minutes then, versus up to 52 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Los Angeles?

The 39-mile drive usually takes 35 to 52 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 42 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Irvine to Los Angeles?

Leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 52 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Los Angeles to Irvine (return trip) · Irvine to Santa Monica · Irvine to Pasadena · Irvine to Long Beach · Irvine to West Covina · Irvine to Burbank · Irvine to Glendale · Irvine to Santa Clarita · Irvine to Van Nuys · Irvine to Torrance · Irvine to LAX · Irvine to Hollywood

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	35	41	45	48	44	42	41	41	42	42	44	46	48	44	38	37	36
Tue	35	41	46	49	46	44	43	42	41	41	44	47	50	47	41	37	36
Wed	35	41	46	49	46	44	42	43	42	42	45	49	52	49	41	38	36
Thu	35	41	45	48	46	43	42	42	42	43	45	48	51	47	41	38	36
Fri	35	40	43	45	43	43	43	43	44	46	50	50	52	48	40	38	36
Sat	36	36	37	38	38	40	41	41	42	42	43	43	41	39	39	38	36
Sun	35	36	36	36	37	38	40	41	42	42	42	41	40	39	39	40	36

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	35	41	45	48	44	42	41	41	42	42	44	46	48	44	38	37	36
Tue	35	41	46	49	46	44	43	42	41	41	44	47	50	47	41	37	36
Wed	35	41	46	49	46	44	42	43	42	42	45	49	52	49	41	38	36
Thu	35	41	45	48	46	43	42	42	42	43	45	48	51	47	41	38	36
Fri	35	40	43	45	43	43	43	43	44	46	50	50	52	48	40	38	36
Sat	36	36	37	38	38	40	41	41	42	42	43	43	41	39	39	38	36
Sun	35	36	36	36	37	38	40	41	42	42	42	41	40	39	39	40	36

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	35	41	45	48	44	42	41	41	42	42	44	46	48	44	38	37	36
Tue	35	41	46	49	46	44	43	42	41	41	44	47	50	47	41	37	36
Wed	35	41	46	49	46	44	42	43	42	42	45	49	52	49	41	38	36
Thu	35	41	45	48	46	43	42	42	42	43	45	48	51	47	41	38	36
Fri	35	40	43	45	43	43	43	43	44	46	50	50	52	48	40	38	36
Sat	36	36	37	38	38	40	41	41	42	42	43	43	41	39	39	38	36
Sun	35	36	36	36	37	38	40	41	42	42	42	41	40	39	39	40	36