Best Time to Drive from Los Angeles to Irvine

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 38 minutes via I-5 South, usually 40 at this time.

On weekdays the 40-mile drive from Los Angeles to Irvine (via I-5 South) usually takes as little as 35 minutes and up to 69 minutes, when leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 8:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 45 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (51 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Los Angeles to Irvine 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	35	42	51	56	45	41	41	41	43	46	52	58	61	50	42	38	36
Tue	35	43	57	60	49	43	42	42	43	47	55	62	66	55	45	38	36
Wed	35	42	56	60	50	43	42	43	44	49	58	65	69	57	46	39	36
Thu	35	42	56	59	50	44	44	45	47	50	60	66	68	59	47	39	36
Fri	35	41	49	51	45	43	44	47	51	59	66	68	65	58	45	39	37
Sat	36	37	37	39	40	40	43	45	47	49	50	49	48	43	38	39	37
Sun	36	36	36	37	37	39	40	40	42	42	43	42	41	39	39	40	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 Los Angeles to Irvine?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 8:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 35 minutes then, versus up to 69 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Los Angeles to Irvine?

The 40-mile drive usually takes 35 to 69 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 45 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Los Angeles to Irvine?

Leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 69 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Irvine to Los Angeles (return trip) · Los Angeles to Santa Monica · Los Angeles to Long Beach · Los Angeles to West Covina · Los Angeles to Burbank · Los Angeles to Glendale · Los Angeles to Santa Clarita · Los Angeles to Van Nuys · Los Angeles to Torrance · Los Angeles to Hollywood · Los Angeles to Culver City · Los Angeles to El Monte

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	35	42	51	56	45	41	41	41	43	46	52	58	61	50	42	38	36
Tue	35	43	57	60	49	43	42	42	43	47	55	62	66	55	45	38	36
Wed	35	42	56	60	50	43	42	43	44	49	58	65	69	57	46	39	36
Thu	35	42	56	59	50	44	44	45	47	50	60	66	68	59	47	39	36
Fri	35	41	49	51	45	43	44	47	51	59	66	68	65	58	45	39	37
Sat	36	37	37	39	40	40	43	45	47	49	50	49	48	43	38	39	37
Sun	36	36	36	37	37	39	40	40	42	42	43	42	41	39	39	40	37

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	35	42	51	56	45	41	41	41	43	46	52	58	61	50	42	38	36
Tue	35	43	57	60	49	43	42	42	43	47	55	62	66	55	45	38	36
Wed	35	42	56	60	50	43	42	43	44	49	58	65	69	57	46	39	36
Thu	35	42	56	59	50	44	44	45	47	50	60	66	68	59	47	39	36
Fri	35	41	49	51	45	43	44	47	51	59	66	68	65	58	45	39	37
Sat	36	37	37	39	40	40	43	45	47	49	50	49	48	43	38	39	37
Sun	36	36	36	37	37	39	40	40	42	42	43	42	41	39	39	40	37

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	35	42	51	56	45	41	41	41	43	46	52	58	61	50	42	38	36
Tue	35	43	57	60	49	43	42	42	43	47	55	62	66	55	45	38	36
Wed	35	42	56	60	50	43	42	43	44	49	58	65	69	57	46	39	36
Thu	35	42	56	59	50	44	44	45	47	50	60	66	68	59	47	39	36
Fri	35	41	49	51	45	43	44	47	51	59	66	68	65	58	45	39	37
Sat	36	37	37	39	40	40	43	45	47	49	50	49	48	43	38	39	37
Sun	36	36	36	37	37	39	40	40	42	42	43	42	41	39	39	40	37