Best Time to Drive from Irvine to Rancho Santa Margarita

Right now (6:03 pm PDT): about 17 minutes via SR-241 South and I-405 South and SR-133 North, usually 16 at this time.

Only 63% of this drive is measured by working traffic sensors right now. The rest is estimated from nearby sensors, typical speeds and street traffic, so times can be off. Why so few sensors work.

About this drive

On weekdays the 18-mile drive from Irvine to Rancho Santa Margarita (via SR-241 South and I-405 South and SR-133 North) usually takes as little as 16 minutes and up to 17 minutes, when leaving around 5 pm on Mondays. The fastest times to leave are before 4:30 pm or after 5:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 17 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 11:30 am on Sundays (16 minutes).

Drive times are measured from central Irvine to central Rancho Santa Margarita along the route on the map. Starting or ending elsewhere in a big city can add or save several minutes.

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. We don't have sensors on surface streets yet, so the time on them is estimated from how congested the freeways around each end of the drive are at that time, in both directions: streets jam when the freeways do.

Questions

What is the best time to drive from Irvine to Rancho Santa Margarita?

On weekdays, leave before 4:30 pm or after 5:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 16 minutes then, versus up to 17 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Rancho Santa Margarita?

The 18-mile drive usually takes 16 to 17 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 17 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Irvine to Rancho Santa Margarita?

Leaving around 5 pm on Mondays is usually slowest, about 17 minutes.

Freeways on this drive

SR-241 South in Orange County (8 miles) · I-405 South in Orange County (5 miles) · SR-133 North in Orange County (4 miles)

Orange County traffic right now · Orange County traffic tomorrow

More drives

Rancho Santa Margarita to Irvine (return trip) · Irvine to Los Angeles · 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

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