Best Time to Drive from Irvine to Pasadena

Right now (8:48 am PDT): about 44 minutes via I-5 North, usually 45 at this time.

On weekdays the 43-mile drive from Irvine to Pasadena (via I-5 North) usually takes as little as 42 minutes and up to 60 minutes, when leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 7 am or after 7:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 48 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (49 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Irvine to Pasadena 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	42	44	47	49	47	46	46	46	48	48	51	53	55	51	45	44	43
Tue	42	44	47	49	48	48	47	47	48	48	52	55	58	54	47	44	43
Wed	42	44	47	49	48	48	47	48	48	49	53	57	60	55	48	45	43
Thu	42	44	47	49	49	47	47	47	47	50	52	56	59	54	48	44	43
Fri	42	45	46	48	47	47	47	48	50	53	57	58	59	54	46	45	43
Sat	43	43	44	44	45	45	46	46	47	47	48	49	47	46	45	45	43
Sun	42	43	43	43	44	45	45	46	46	46	47	47	46	46	46	46	43

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 Pasadena?

On weekdays, leave before 7 am or after 7:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 42 minutes then, versus up to 60 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Pasadena?

The 43-mile drive usually takes 42 to 60 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 48 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Irvine to Pasadena?

Leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 60 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Pasadena to Irvine (return trip) · Irvine to Los Angeles · Irvine to Santa Monica · 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	42	44	47	49	47	46	46	46	48	48	51	53	55	51	45	44	43
Tue	42	44	47	49	48	48	47	47	48	48	52	55	58	54	47	44	43
Wed	42	44	47	49	48	48	47	48	48	49	53	57	60	55	48	45	43
Thu	42	44	47	49	49	47	47	47	47	50	52	56	59	54	48	44	43
Fri	42	45	46	48	47	47	47	48	50	53	57	58	59	54	46	45	43
Sat	43	43	44	44	45	45	46	46	47	47	48	49	47	46	45	45	43
Sun	42	43	43	43	44	45	45	46	46	46	47	47	46	46	46	46	43

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	42	44	47	49	47	46	46	46	48	48	51	53	55	51	45	44	43
Tue	42	44	47	49	48	48	47	47	48	48	52	55	58	54	47	44	43
Wed	42	44	47	49	48	48	47	48	48	49	53	57	60	55	48	45	43
Thu	42	44	47	49	49	47	47	47	47	50	52	56	59	54	48	44	43
Fri	42	45	46	48	47	47	47	48	50	53	57	58	59	54	46	45	43
Sat	43	43	44	44	45	45	46	46	47	47	48	49	47	46	45	45	43
Sun	42	43	43	43	44	45	45	46	46	46	47	47	46	46	46	46	43

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	42	44	47	49	47	46	46	46	48	48	51	53	55	51	45	44	43
Tue	42	44	47	49	48	48	47	47	48	48	52	55	58	54	47	44	43
Wed	42	44	47	49	48	48	47	48	48	49	53	57	60	55	48	45	43
Thu	42	44	47	49	49	47	47	47	47	50	52	56	59	54	48	44	43
Fri	42	45	46	48	47	47	47	48	50	53	57	58	59	54	46	45	43
Sat	43	43	44	44	45	45	46	46	47	47	48	49	47	46	45	45	43
Sun	42	43	43	43	44	45	45	46	46	46	47	47	46	46	46	46	43