Best Time to Drive from LAX to SNA

Right now (9:46 am PDT): about 38 minutes via I-405 South, usually 38 at this time.

On weekdays the 40-mile drive from LAX to SNA (via I-405 South) usually takes as little as 36 minutes and up to 58 minutes, when leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6:30 am or after 7:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 42 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3 pm on Saturdays (44 minutes).

⇄ Reverse trip: SNA to LAX

Drive times are measured from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) (Paularino Avenue) along the route shown. Starting or ending elsewhere in a big city can add or save several minutes.

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from LAX to SNA 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	38	43	44	41	40	40	41	41	43	46	48	49	46	40	38	37
Tue	36	38	45	48	43	41	41	40	42	44	49	53	55	51	42	38	37
Wed	36	38	45	46	44	41	40	40	42	45	50	55	58	53	43	38	37
Thu	36	38	44	46	42	41	41	41	43	46	52	56	56	51	43	39	37
Fri	36	38	41	42	41	41	41	43	46	50	54	54	52	48	41	38	37
Sat	37	37	37	38	39	39	40	42	43	43	44	44	43	40	38	38	37
Sun	37	37	37	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	40	40	39	39	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 SNA?

On weekdays, leave before 6:30 am or after 7:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 36 minutes then, versus up to 58 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from LAX to SNA?

The 40-mile drive usually takes 36 to 58 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 42 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from LAX to SNA?

Leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 58 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

SNA 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	38	43	44	41	40	40	41	41	43	46	48	49	46	40	38	37
Tue	36	38	45	48	43	41	41	40	42	44	49	53	55	51	42	38	37
Wed	36	38	45	46	44	41	40	40	42	45	50	55	58	53	43	38	37
Thu	36	38	44	46	42	41	41	41	43	46	52	56	56	51	43	39	37
Fri	36	38	41	42	41	41	41	43	46	50	54	54	52	48	41	38	37
Sat	37	37	37	38	39	39	40	42	43	43	44	44	43	40	38	38	37
Sun	37	37	37	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	40	40	39	39	38	39	37

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	36	38	43	44	41	40	40	41	41	43	46	48	49	46	40	38	37
Tue	36	38	45	48	43	41	41	40	42	44	49	53	55	51	42	38	37
Wed	36	38	45	46	44	41	40	40	42	45	50	55	58	53	43	38	37
Thu	36	38	44	46	42	41	41	41	43	46	52	56	56	51	43	39	37
Fri	36	38	41	42	41	41	41	43	46	50	54	54	52	48	41	38	37
Sat	37	37	37	38	39	39	40	42	43	43	44	44	43	40	38	38	37
Sun	37	37	37	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	40	40	39	39	38	39	37

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	36	38	43	44	41	40	40	41	41	43	46	48	49	46	40	38	37
Tue	36	38	45	48	43	41	41	40	42	44	49	53	55	51	42	38	37
Wed	36	38	45	46	44	41	40	40	42	45	50	55	58	53	43	38	37
Thu	36	38	44	46	42	41	41	41	43	46	52	56	56	51	43	39	37
Fri	36	38	41	42	41	41	41	43	46	50	54	54	52	48	41	38	37
Sat	37	37	37	38	39	39	40	42	43	43	44	44	43	40	38	38	37
Sun	37	37	37	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	40	40	39	39	38	39	37