Best Time to Drive from LAX to Santa Ana

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 38 minutes via I-105 East and I-5 South, usually 38 at this time.

On weekdays the 38-mile drive from LAX to Santa Ana (via I-105 East and I-5 South) usually takes as little as 35 minutes and up to 52 minutes, when leaving around 7:30 am 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 40 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (42 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from LAX to Santa Ana 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	39	45	48	42	40	39	39	40	40	43	45	47	44	39	37	36
Tue	36	39	48	50	44	41	40	40	40	40	44	47	49	46	40	37	36
Wed	35	40	48	50	44	41	40	40	40	41	44	48	51	47	40	38	36
Thu	35	39	48	50	44	41	41	41	41	41	45	48	51	48	40	37	36
Fri	36	38	42	43	40	40	40	40	42	45	49	51	51	48	40	38	36
Sat	36	37	37	37	38	38	39	39	39	40	41	41	40	39	37	37	36
Sun	36	36	36	37	37	38	38	38	39	39	39	39	39	38	38	39	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 LAX to Santa Ana?

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 LAX to Santa Ana?

The 38-mile drive usually takes 35 to 52 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 40 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from LAX to Santa Ana?

Leaving around 7:30 am on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 52 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Santa Ana to LAX (return trip) · LAX to Los Angeles · LAX to Pasadena · LAX to Long Beach · LAX to West Covina · LAX to Burbank · LAX to Glendale · LAX to Santa Clarita · LAX to Van Nuys · LAX to El Monte · LAX to Downey · LAX to Whittier

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	39	45	48	42	40	39	39	40	40	43	45	47	44	39	37	36
Tue	36	39	48	50	44	41	40	40	40	40	44	47	49	46	40	37	36
Wed	35	40	48	50	44	41	40	40	40	41	44	48	51	47	40	38	36
Thu	35	39	48	50	44	41	41	41	41	41	45	48	51	48	40	37	36
Fri	36	38	42	43	40	40	40	40	42	45	49	51	51	48	40	38	36
Sat	36	37	37	37	38	38	39	39	39	40	41	41	40	39	37	37	36
Sun	36	36	36	37	37	38	38	38	39	39	39	39	39	38	38	39	37

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

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