Best Time to Drive from Santa Monica to El Monte

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 28 minutes via I-10 East, usually 28 at this time.

On weekdays the 30-mile drive from Santa Monica to El Monte (via I-10 East) usually takes as little as 26 minutes and up to 55 minutes, when leaving around 5 pm on Thursdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6:30 am or after 8 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 35 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 2:30 pm on Saturdays (40 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Santa Monica to El Monte 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	27	28	31	34	32	31	31	31	33	37	44	47	48	41	32	28	27
Tue	27	28	32	36	34	32	32	32	33	38	44	48	51	46	35	28	27
Wed	26	28	31	36	34	32	32	32	34	39	45	50	53	47	37	29	27
Thu	26	28	32	36	35	33	32	33	36	41	48	53	55	49	38	31	27
Fri	26	28	30	34	32	33	33	37	41	45	51	52	51	44	35	29	27
Sat	27	27	27	28	28	30	31	33	36	39	40	40	38	33	28	28	27
Sun	27	27	27	27	27	28	28	30	31	32	32	31	30	29	28	29	27

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 El Monte?

On weekdays, leave before 6:30 am or after 8 pm. The drive usually takes about 26 minutes then, versus up to 55 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to El Monte?

The 30-mile drive usually takes 26 to 55 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 35 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Santa Monica to El Monte?

Leaving around 5 pm on Thursdays is usually slowest, about 55 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

El Monte 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 Downey

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	27	28	31	34	32	31	31	31	33	37	44	47	48	41	32	28	27
Tue	27	28	32	36	34	32	32	32	33	38	44	48	51	46	35	28	27
Wed	26	28	31	36	34	32	32	32	34	39	45	50	53	47	37	29	27
Thu	26	28	32	36	35	33	32	33	36	41	48	53	55	49	38	31	27
Fri	26	28	30	34	32	33	33	37	41	45	51	52	51	44	35	29	27
Sat	27	27	27	28	28	30	31	33	36	39	40	40	38	33	28	28	27
Sun	27	27	27	27	27	28	28	30	31	32	32	31	30	29	28	29	27

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	27	28	31	34	32	31	31	31	33	37	44	47	48	41	32	28	27
Tue	27	28	32	36	34	32	32	32	33	38	44	48	51	46	35	28	27
Wed	26	28	31	36	34	32	32	32	34	39	45	50	53	47	37	29	27
Thu	26	28	32	36	35	33	32	33	36	41	48	53	55	49	38	31	27
Fri	26	28	30	34	32	33	33	37	41	45	51	52	51	44	35	29	27
Sat	27	27	27	28	28	30	31	33	36	39	40	40	38	33	28	28	27
Sun	27	27	27	27	27	28	28	30	31	32	32	31	30	29	28	29	27

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	27	28	31	34	32	31	31	31	33	37	44	47	48	41	32	28	27
Tue	27	28	32	36	34	32	32	32	33	38	44	48	51	46	35	28	27
Wed	26	28	31	36	34	32	32	32	34	39	45	50	53	47	37	29	27
Thu	26	28	32	36	35	33	32	33	36	41	48	53	55	49	38	31	27
Fri	26	28	30	34	32	33	33	37	41	45	51	52	51	44	35	29	27
Sat	27	27	27	28	28	30	31	33	36	39	40	40	38	33	28	28	27
Sun	27	27	27	27	27	28	28	30	31	32	32	31	30	29	28	29	27