Best Time to Drive from Pasadena to SNA

Right now (9:46 am PDT): about 43 minutes via I-5 South, usually 45 at this time.

On weekdays the 44-mile drive from Pasadena to SNA (via I-5 South) usually takes as little as 41 minutes and up to 72 minutes, when leaving around 4 pm on Fridays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 8 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 50 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (57 minutes).

⇄ Reverse trip: SNA to Pasadena

Drive times are measured from Old Pasadena (East Holly Street) 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 Pasadena 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	41	47	57	61	51	46	46	46	48	51	58	63	66	56	48	44	42
Tue	41	48	62	65	55	49	48	48	48	52	60	67	70	60	51	44	42
Wed	41	48	61	65	55	49	48	48	49	54	63	69	72	63	52	45	42
Thu	41	47	60	64	55	50	50	50	52	55	64	69	72	63	53	45	42
Fri	41	46	54	56	50	48	49	52	56	64	71	72	70	64	51	45	43
Sat	42	43	43	44	45	46	48	50	52	53	55	56	54	49	44	44	43
Sun	42	42	42	43	43	45	46	46	47	48	49	48	46	45	45	46	43

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 SNA?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 8 pm. The drive usually takes about 41 minutes then, versus up to 72 minutes at the worst times.

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

The 44-mile drive usually takes 41 to 72 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 50 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Pasadena to SNA?

Leaving around 4 pm on Fridays is usually slowest, about 72 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

SNA 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	41	47	57	61	51	46	46	46	48	51	58	63	66	56	48	44	42
Tue	41	48	62	65	55	49	48	48	48	52	60	67	70	60	51	44	42
Wed	41	48	61	65	55	49	48	48	49	54	63	69	72	63	52	45	42
Thu	41	47	60	64	55	50	50	50	52	55	64	69	72	63	53	45	42
Fri	41	46	54	56	50	48	49	52	56	64	71	72	70	64	51	45	43
Sat	42	43	43	44	45	46	48	50	52	53	55	56	54	49	44	44	43
Sun	42	42	42	43	43	45	46	46	47	48	49	48	46	45	45	46	43

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	41	47	57	61	51	46	46	46	48	51	58	63	66	56	48	44	42
Tue	41	48	62	65	55	49	48	48	48	52	60	67	70	60	51	44	42
Wed	41	48	61	65	55	49	48	48	49	54	63	69	72	63	52	45	42
Thu	41	47	60	64	55	50	50	50	52	55	64	69	72	63	53	45	42
Fri	41	46	54	56	50	48	49	52	56	64	71	72	70	64	51	45	43
Sat	42	43	43	44	45	46	48	50	52	53	55	56	54	49	44	44	43
Sun	42	42	42	43	43	45	46	46	47	48	49	48	46	45	45	46	43

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	41	47	57	61	51	46	46	46	48	51	58	63	66	56	48	44	42
Tue	41	48	62	65	55	49	48	48	48	52	60	67	70	60	51	44	42
Wed	41	48	61	65	55	49	48	48	49	54	63	69	72	63	52	45	42
Thu	41	47	60	64	55	50	50	50	52	55	64	69	72	63	53	45	42
Fri	41	46	54	56	50	48	49	52	56	64	71	72	70	64	51	45	43
Sat	42	43	43	44	45	46	48	50	52	53	55	56	54	49	44	44	43
Sun	42	42	42	43	43	45	46	46	47	48	49	48	46	45	45	46	43