Best Time to Drive from Los Angeles to Santa Ana

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 31 minutes via I-5 South, usually 32 at this time.

On weekdays the 32-mile drive from Los Angeles to Santa Ana (via I-5 South) usually takes as little as 28 minutes and up to 60 minutes, when leaving around 3:30 pm on Fridays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 8:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 38 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (43 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Los Angeles 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	29	32	40	45	37	33	34	34	35	38	45	49	52	44	35	31	29
Tue	29	32	44	49	40	35	35	35	35	39	47	53	56	48	38	31	29
Wed	28	32	44	49	40	36	35	35	37	41	50	56	59	50	39	32	29
Thu	29	32	44	48	40	36	37	37	39	43	52	57	60	52	40	33	30
Fri	29	31	37	41	36	36	36	39	43	52	59	60	57	51	38	32	30
Sat	29	30	30	31	32	33	35	37	39	41	42	42	41	36	32	32	30
Sun	29	29	29	30	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	35	34	32	32	33	30

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 Santa Ana?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 8:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 28 minutes then, versus up to 60 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Los Angeles to Santa Ana?

The 32-mile drive usually takes 28 to 60 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 38 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Los Angeles to Santa Ana?

Leaving around 3:30 pm on Fridays is usually slowest, about 60 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Santa Ana 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	29	32	40	45	37	33	34	34	35	38	45	49	52	44	35	31	29
Tue	29	32	44	49	40	35	35	35	35	39	47	53	56	48	38	31	29
Wed	28	32	44	49	40	36	35	35	37	41	50	56	59	50	39	32	29
Thu	29	32	44	48	40	36	37	37	39	43	52	57	60	52	40	33	30
Fri	29	31	37	41	36	36	36	39	43	52	59	60	57	51	38	32	30
Sat	29	30	30	31	32	33	35	37	39	41	42	42	41	36	32	32	30
Sun	29	29	29	30	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	35	34	32	32	33	30

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	29	32	40	45	37	33	34	34	35	38	45	49	52	44	35	31	29
Tue	29	32	44	49	40	35	35	35	35	39	47	53	56	48	38	31	29
Wed	28	32	44	49	40	36	35	35	37	41	50	56	59	50	39	32	29
Thu	29	32	44	48	40	36	37	37	39	43	52	57	60	52	40	33	30
Fri	29	31	37	41	36	36	36	39	43	52	59	60	57	51	38	32	30
Sat	29	30	30	31	32	33	35	37	39	41	42	42	41	36	32	32	30
Sun	29	29	29	30	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	35	34	32	32	33	30

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	29	32	40	45	37	33	34	34	35	38	45	49	52	44	35	31	29
Tue	29	32	44	49	40	35	35	35	35	39	47	53	56	48	38	31	29
Wed	28	32	44	49	40	36	35	35	37	41	50	56	59	50	39	32	29
Thu	29	32	44	48	40	36	37	37	39	43	52	57	60	52	40	33	30
Fri	29	31	37	41	36	36	36	39	43	52	59	60	57	51	38	32	30
Sat	29	30	30	31	32	33	35	37	39	41	42	42	41	36	32	32	30
Sun	29	29	29	30	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	35	34	32	32	33	30