Best Time to Drive from Santa Monica to Anaheim

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 39 minutes via I-5 South and I-10 East, usually 40 at this time.

On weekdays the 40-mile drive from Santa Monica to Anaheim (via I-5 South and I-10 East) usually takes as little as 36 minutes and up to 85 minutes, when leaving around 4:30 pm on Thursdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6:30 am or after 8:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 51 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3 pm on Saturdays (59 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Santa Monica to Anaheim 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	48	52	45	43	44	44	47	54	66	71	71	59	44	39	37
Tue	36	39	52	56	48	45	44	45	47	56	69	76	77	65	48	39	37
Wed	36	39	53	55	48	45	45	46	49	60	75	80	80	68	51	40	37
Thu	36	39	53	57	50	46	47	48	54	63	76	83	83	70	52	41	37
Fri	36	39	45	51	46	46	49	54	63	75	83	83	78	65	49	41	38
Sat	37	37	38	40	40	42	45	50	54	56	59	59	55	47	40	40	38
Sun	37	37	37	37	38	39	41	42	44	46	46	45	43	40	40	41	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 Santa Monica to Anaheim?

On weekdays, leave before 6:30 am or after 8:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 36 minutes then, versus up to 85 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to Anaheim?

The 40-mile drive usually takes 36 to 85 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 51 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Santa Monica to Anaheim?

Leaving around 4:30 pm on Thursdays is usually slowest, about 85 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Anaheim to Santa Monica (return trip) · Santa Monica to Los Angeles · Santa Monica to Pasadena · Santa Monica to Long Beach · Santa Monica to West Covina · Santa Monica to Burbank · Santa Monica to Glendale · Santa Monica to Santa Clarita · Santa Monica to Van Nuys · Santa Monica to Torrance · Santa Monica to Culver City · Santa Monica 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	36	39	48	52	45	43	44	44	47	54	66	71	71	59	44	39	37
Tue	36	39	52	56	48	45	44	45	47	56	69	76	77	65	48	39	37
Wed	36	39	53	55	48	45	45	46	49	60	75	80	80	68	51	40	37
Thu	36	39	53	57	50	46	47	48	54	63	76	83	83	70	52	41	37
Fri	36	39	45	51	46	46	49	54	63	75	83	83	78	65	49	41	38
Sat	37	37	38	40	40	42	45	50	54	56	59	59	55	47	40	40	38
Sun	37	37	37	37	38	39	41	42	44	46	46	45	43	40	40	41	38

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	36	39	48	52	45	43	44	44	47	54	66	71	71	59	44	39	37
Tue	36	39	52	56	48	45	44	45	47	56	69	76	77	65	48	39	37
Wed	36	39	53	55	48	45	45	46	49	60	75	80	80	68	51	40	37
Thu	36	39	53	57	50	46	47	48	54	63	76	83	83	70	52	41	37
Fri	36	39	45	51	46	46	49	54	63	75	83	83	78	65	49	41	38
Sat	37	37	38	40	40	42	45	50	54	56	59	59	55	47	40	40	38
Sun	37	37	37	37	38	39	41	42	44	46	46	45	43	40	40	41	38

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	36	39	48	52	45	43	44	44	47	54	66	71	71	59	44	39	37
Tue	36	39	52	56	48	45	44	45	47	56	69	76	77	65	48	39	37
Wed	36	39	53	55	48	45	45	46	49	60	75	80	80	68	51	40	37
Thu	36	39	53	57	50	46	47	48	54	63	76	83	83	70	52	41	37
Fri	36	39	45	51	46	46	49	54	63	75	83	83	78	65	49	41	38
Sat	37	37	38	40	40	42	45	50	54	56	59	59	55	47	40	40	38
Sun	37	37	37	37	38	39	41	42	44	46	46	45	43	40	40	41	38