Best Time to Drive from Irvine to Santa Clarita

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 70 minutes via I-5 North, usually 71 at this time.

On weekdays the 71-mile drive from Irvine to Santa Clarita (via I-5 North) usually takes as little as 65 minutes and up to 94 minutes, when leaving around 4:30 pm on Thursdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 7:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 78 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (80 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Irvine to Santa Clarita 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	65	72	79	81	78	76	76	76	77	79	83	85	85	78	69	68	66
Tue	65	73	80	84	81	79	77	77	77	79	85	89	89	82	72	68	66
Wed	65	73	80	83	81	78	77	77	78	80	86	91	92	85	75	70	66
Thu	66	73	80	82	81	78	77	77	78	81	87	91	92	83	74	69	66
Fri	65	72	77	79	78	78	78	80	82	86	92	92	90	83	73	71	66
Sat	66	67	68	69	71	74	76	76	78	78	79	79	76	74	72	70	66
Sun	65	65	66	66	68	70	73	74	76	76	76	75	73	73	72	73	66

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 Santa Clarita?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 7:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 65 minutes then, versus up to 94 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Irvine to Santa Clarita?

The 71-mile drive usually takes 65 to 94 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 78 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Irvine to Santa Clarita?

Leaving around 4:30 pm on Thursdays is usually slowest, about 94 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Santa Clarita 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 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	65	72	79	81	78	76	76	76	77	79	83	85	85	78	69	68	66
Tue	65	73	80	84	81	79	77	77	77	79	85	89	89	82	72	68	66
Wed	65	73	80	83	81	78	77	77	78	80	86	91	92	85	75	70	66
Thu	66	73	80	82	81	78	77	77	78	81	87	91	92	83	74	69	66
Fri	65	72	77	79	78	78	78	80	82	86	92	92	90	83	73	71	66
Sat	66	67	68	69	71	74	76	76	78	78	79	79	76	74	72	70	66
Sun	65	65	66	66	68	70	73	74	76	76	76	75	73	73	72	73	66

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	65	72	79	81	78	76	76	76	77	79	83	85	85	78	69	68	66
Tue	65	73	80	84	81	79	77	77	77	79	85	89	89	82	72	68	66
Wed	65	73	80	83	81	78	77	77	78	80	86	91	92	85	75	70	66
Thu	66	73	80	82	81	78	77	77	78	81	87	91	92	83	74	69	66
Fri	65	72	77	79	78	78	78	80	82	86	92	92	90	83	73	71	66
Sat	66	67	68	69	71	74	76	76	78	78	79	79	76	74	72	70	66
Sun	65	65	66	66	68	70	73	74	76	76	76	75	73	73	72	73	66

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	65	72	79	81	78	76	76	76	77	79	83	85	85	78	69	68	66
Tue	65	73	80	84	81	79	77	77	77	79	85	89	89	82	72	68	66
Wed	65	73	80	83	81	78	77	77	78	80	86	91	92	85	75	70	66
Thu	66	73	80	82	81	78	77	77	78	81	87	91	92	83	74	69	66
Fri	65	72	77	79	78	78	78	80	82	86	92	92	90	83	73	71	66
Sat	66	67	68	69	71	74	76	76	78	78	79	79	76	74	72	70	66
Sun	65	65	66	66	68	70	73	74	76	76	76	75	73	73	72	73	66