Best Time to Drive from Pasadena to Santa Ana

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 39 minutes via I-5 South, usually 40 at this time.

On weekdays the 37-mile drive from Pasadena to Santa Ana (via I-5 South) usually takes as little as 36 minutes and up to 66 minutes, when leaving around 3:30 pm on Fridays. The fastest times to leave are before 6:30 am or after 8 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 44 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (51 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Pasadena 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	37	39	47	51	43	40	41	41	43	46	52	56	59	51	43	39	37
Tue	36	40	51	55	46	42	41	42	42	47	54	60	62	55	46	39	37
Wed	36	40	51	54	47	42	41	42	43	48	56	62	65	57	47	40	37
Thu	37	40	50	54	46	43	43	43	46	50	57	63	65	58	48	40	37
Fri	37	39	44	47	43	42	43	45	50	58	65	66	64	58	46	40	38
Sat	37	38	38	39	40	40	41	43	45	47	49	50	49	44	39	39	38
Sun	37	37	37	38	38	39	40	40	41	42	43	42	41	40	40	40	38

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 Pasadena to Santa Ana?

On weekdays, leave before 6:30 am or after 8 pm. The drive usually takes about 36 minutes then, versus up to 66 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Pasadena to Santa Ana?

The 37-mile drive usually takes 36 to 66 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 44 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Pasadena to Santa Ana?

Leaving around 3:30 pm on Fridays is usually slowest, about 66 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Santa Ana to Pasadena (return trip) · Pasadena to Santa Monica · Pasadena to Long Beach · Pasadena to West Covina · Pasadena to Burbank · Pasadena to Santa Clarita · Pasadena to Van Nuys · Pasadena to Torrance · Pasadena to Hollywood · Pasadena to Culver City · Pasadena to Whittier · Pasadena to Thousand Oaks

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	37	39	47	51	43	40	41	41	43	46	52	56	59	51	43	39	37
Tue	36	40	51	55	46	42	41	42	42	47	54	60	62	55	46	39	37
Wed	36	40	51	54	47	42	41	42	43	48	56	62	65	57	47	40	37
Thu	37	40	50	54	46	43	43	43	46	50	57	63	65	58	48	40	37
Fri	37	39	44	47	43	42	43	45	50	58	65	66	64	58	46	40	38
Sat	37	38	38	39	40	40	41	43	45	47	49	50	49	44	39	39	38
Sun	37	37	37	38	38	39	40	40	41	42	43	42	41	40	40	40	38

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	37	39	47	51	43	40	41	41	43	46	52	56	59	51	43	39	37
Tue	36	40	51	55	46	42	41	42	42	47	54	60	62	55	46	39	37
Wed	36	40	51	54	47	42	41	42	43	48	56	62	65	57	47	40	37
Thu	37	40	50	54	46	43	43	43	46	50	57	63	65	58	48	40	37
Fri	37	39	44	47	43	42	43	45	50	58	65	66	64	58	46	40	38
Sat	37	38	38	39	40	40	41	43	45	47	49	50	49	44	39	39	38
Sun	37	37	37	38	38	39	40	40	41	42	43	42	41	40	40	40	38

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	37	39	47	51	43	40	41	41	43	46	52	56	59	51	43	39	37
Tue	36	40	51	55	46	42	41	42	42	47	54	60	62	55	46	39	37
Wed	36	40	51	54	47	42	41	42	43	48	56	62	65	57	47	40	37
Thu	37	40	50	54	46	43	43	43	46	50	57	63	65	58	48	40	37
Fri	37	39	44	47	43	42	43	45	50	58	65	66	64	58	46	40	38
Sat	37	38	38	39	40	40	41	43	45	47	49	50	49	44	39	39	38
Sun	37	37	37	38	38	39	40	40	41	42	43	42	41	40	40	40	38