Best Time to Drive from Santa Ana to LAX

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 38 minutes via I-5 North and I-105 West, usually 38 at this time.

On weekdays the 39-mile drive from Santa Ana to LAX (via I-5 North and I-105 West) usually takes as little as 36 minutes and up to 47 minutes, when leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 7 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 40 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (41 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Santa Ana to LAX 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	39	42	43	41	39	39	39	40	40	42	43	44	42	38	37	36
Tue	36	40	43	45	42	40	40	40	40	40	42	44	46	43	39	37	36
Wed	36	40	43	44	43	40	40	40	40	41	43	45	47	44	39	37	36
Thu	36	40	44	45	42	40	40	40	40	41	43	45	47	43	40	37	36
Fri	36	39	41	42	39	40	40	41	42	43	46	46	47	44	39	37	37
Sat	36	37	37	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	40	41	40	38	38	38	37
Sun	36	36	36	37	37	38	38	39	39	39	39	39	39	38	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 Santa Ana to LAX?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 7 pm. The drive usually takes about 36 minutes then, versus up to 47 minutes at the worst times.

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

The 39-mile drive usually takes 36 to 47 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 40 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Santa Ana to LAX?

Leaving around 5 pm on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 47 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

LAX to Santa Ana (return trip) · Santa Ana to Los Angeles · Santa Ana to Santa Monica · Santa Ana to Pasadena · Santa Ana to Long Beach · Santa Ana to West Covina · Santa Ana to Burbank · Santa Ana to Glendale · Santa Ana to Santa Clarita · Santa Ana to Van Nuys · Santa Ana to Torrance · Santa Ana to Hollywood

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	39	42	43	41	39	39	39	40	40	42	43	44	42	38	37	36
Tue	36	40	43	45	42	40	40	40	40	40	42	44	46	43	39	37	36
Wed	36	40	43	44	43	40	40	40	40	41	43	45	47	44	39	37	36
Thu	36	40	44	45	42	40	40	40	40	41	43	45	47	43	40	37	36
Fri	36	39	41	42	39	40	40	41	42	43	46	46	47	44	39	37	37
Sat	36	37	37	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	40	41	40	38	38	38	37
Sun	36	36	36	37	37	38	38	39	39	39	39	39	39	38	38	39	37

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	36	39	42	43	41	39	39	39	40	40	42	43	44	42	38	37	36
Tue	36	40	43	45	42	40	40	40	40	40	42	44	46	43	39	37	36
Wed	36	40	43	44	43	40	40	40	40	41	43	45	47	44	39	37	36
Thu	36	40	44	45	42	40	40	40	40	41	43	45	47	43	40	37	36
Fri	36	39	41	42	39	40	40	41	42	43	46	46	47	44	39	37	37
Sat	36	37	37	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	40	41	40	38	38	38	37
Sun	36	36	36	37	37	38	38	39	39	39	39	39	39	38	38	39	37

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	36	39	42	43	41	39	39	39	40	40	42	43	44	42	38	37	36
Tue	36	40	43	45	42	40	40	40	40	40	42	44	46	43	39	37	36
Wed	36	40	43	44	43	40	40	40	40	41	43	45	47	44	39	37	36
Thu	36	40	44	45	42	40	40	40	40	41	43	45	47	43	40	37	36
Fri	36	39	41	42	39	40	40	41	42	43	46	46	47	44	39	37	37
Sat	36	37	37	37	38	38	39	39	40	40	40	41	40	38	38	38	37
Sun	36	36	36	37	37	38	38	39	39	39	39	39	39	38	38	39	37