Best Time to Drive from Santa Monica to Irvine

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 49 minutes via I-405 South, usually 49 at this time.

On weekdays the 52-mile drive from Santa Monica to Irvine (via I-405 South) usually takes as little as 46 minutes and up to 81 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 56 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3 pm on Saturdays (60 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Santa Monica to Irvine 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	47	49	54	56	53	52	52	53	53	58	63	67	70	64	54	49	47
Tue	46	50	57	59	55	52	52	52	55	60	68	74	79	72	58	49	47
Wed	46	50	56	58	55	53	52	53	55	62	71	78	81	74	59	51	47
Thu	46	49	55	58	54	52	53	53	57	64	74	81	81	73	60	53	47
Fri	46	49	52	54	52	52	53	57	63	70	76	76	75	68	57	51	47
Sat	47	47	48	49	49	51	52	54	57	58	60	60	58	53	49	49	47
Sun	47	47	47	47	48	49	50	50	51	52	52	52	51	50	49	50	47

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 Irvine?

On weekdays, leave before 6:30 am or after 8 pm. The drive usually takes about 46 minutes then, versus up to 81 minutes at the worst times.

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

The 52-mile drive usually takes 46 to 81 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 56 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Santa Monica to Irvine?

Leaving around 5 pm on Thursdays is usually slowest, about 81 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Irvine 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	47	49	54	56	53	52	52	53	53	58	63	67	70	64	54	49	47
Tue	46	50	57	59	55	52	52	52	55	60	68	74	79	72	58	49	47
Wed	46	50	56	58	55	53	52	53	55	62	71	78	81	74	59	51	47
Thu	46	49	55	58	54	52	53	53	57	64	74	81	81	73	60	53	47
Fri	46	49	52	54	52	52	53	57	63	70	76	76	75	68	57	51	47
Sat	47	47	48	49	49	51	52	54	57	58	60	60	58	53	49	49	47
Sun	47	47	47	47	48	49	50	50	51	52	52	52	51	50	49	50	47

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	47	49	54	56	53	52	52	53	53	58	63	67	70	64	54	49	47
Tue	46	50	57	59	55	52	52	52	55	60	68	74	79	72	58	49	47
Wed	46	50	56	58	55	53	52	53	55	62	71	78	81	74	59	51	47
Thu	46	49	55	58	54	52	53	53	57	64	74	81	81	73	60	53	47
Fri	46	49	52	54	52	52	53	57	63	70	76	76	75	68	57	51	47
Sat	47	47	48	49	49	51	52	54	57	58	60	60	58	53	49	49	47
Sun	47	47	47	47	48	49	50	50	51	52	52	52	51	50	49	50	47

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	47	49	54	56	53	52	52	53	53	58	63	67	70	64	54	49	47
Tue	46	50	57	59	55	52	52	52	55	60	68	74	79	72	58	49	47
Wed	46	50	56	58	55	53	52	53	55	62	71	78	81	74	59	51	47
Thu	46	49	55	58	54	52	53	53	57	64	74	81	81	73	60	53	47
Fri	46	49	52	54	52	52	53	57	63	70	76	76	75	68	57	51	47
Sat	47	47	48	49	49	51	52	54	57	58	60	60	58	53	49	49	47
Sun	47	47	47	47	48	49	50	50	51	52	52	52	51	50	49	50	47