Best Time to Drive from Santa Monica to Mission Viejo

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 58 minutes via I-405 South, usually 59 at this time.

On weekdays the 62-mile drive from Santa Monica to Mission Viejo (via I-405 South) usually takes as little as 55 minutes and up to 95 minutes, when leaving around 4:30 pm on Wednesdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6:30 am or after 8 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 66 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3 pm on Saturdays (70 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Santa Monica to Mission Viejo 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	55	59	63	66	63	61	61	62	63	68	73	79	80	73	63	58	56
Tue	55	59	66	69	65	62	62	62	64	70	78	87	90	81	67	59	56
Wed	55	59	66	69	66	63	62	63	65	72	82	92	92	84	69	60	56
Thu	55	59	65	68	64	62	62	63	67	74	84	93	92	82	70	62	56
Fri	55	59	62	64	62	62	63	67	72	81	86	86	85	77	67	60	56
Sat	56	56	57	58	59	60	61	63	66	67	70	69	67	62	58	58	56
Sun	56	55	56	56	57	58	59	60	61	61	62	62	60	59	59	59	56

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 Mission Viejo?

On weekdays, leave before 6:30 am or after 8 pm. The drive usually takes about 55 minutes then, versus up to 95 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Monica to Mission Viejo?

The 62-mile drive usually takes 55 to 95 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 66 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Santa Monica to Mission Viejo?

Leaving around 4:30 pm on Wednesdays is usually slowest, about 95 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Mission Viejo 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	55	59	63	66	63	61	61	62	63	68	73	79	80	73	63	58	56
Tue	55	59	66	69	65	62	62	62	64	70	78	87	90	81	67	59	56
Wed	55	59	66	69	66	63	62	63	65	72	82	92	92	84	69	60	56
Thu	55	59	65	68	64	62	62	63	67	74	84	93	92	82	70	62	56
Fri	55	59	62	64	62	62	63	67	72	81	86	86	85	77	67	60	56
Sat	56	56	57	58	59	60	61	63	66	67	70	69	67	62	58	58	56
Sun	56	55	56	56	57	58	59	60	61	61	62	62	60	59	59	59	56

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	55	59	63	66	63	61	61	62	63	68	73	79	80	73	63	58	56
Tue	55	59	66	69	65	62	62	62	64	70	78	87	90	81	67	59	56
Wed	55	59	66	69	66	63	62	63	65	72	82	92	92	84	69	60	56
Thu	55	59	65	68	64	62	62	63	67	74	84	93	92	82	70	62	56
Fri	55	59	62	64	62	62	63	67	72	81	86	86	85	77	67	60	56
Sat	56	56	57	58	59	60	61	63	66	67	70	69	67	62	58	58	56
Sun	56	55	56	56	57	58	59	60	61	61	62	62	60	59	59	59	56

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	55	59	63	66	63	61	61	62	63	68	73	79	80	73	63	58	56
Tue	55	59	66	69	65	62	62	62	64	70	78	87	90	81	67	59	56
Wed	55	59	66	69	66	63	62	63	65	72	82	92	92	84	69	60	56
Thu	55	59	65	68	64	62	62	63	67	74	84	93	92	82	70	62	56
Fri	55	59	62	64	62	62	63	67	72	81	86	86	85	77	67	60	56
Sat	56	56	57	58	59	60	61	63	66	67	70	69	67	62	58	58	56
Sun	56	55	56	56	57	58	59	60	61	61	62	62	60	59	59	59	56