Best Time to Drive from Santa Monica to Santa Ana

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 44 minutes via I-5 South and I-10 East, usually 45 at this time.

On weekdays the 46-mile drive from Santa Monica to Santa Ana (via I-5 South and I-10 East) usually takes as little as 41 minutes and up to 90 minutes, when leaving around 3:30 pm on Fridays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 8:30 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 56 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3 pm on Saturdays (65 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Santa Monica to Santa Ana 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	41	45	58	60	50	48	49	49	52	59	71	76	76	63	49	43	42
Tue	41	47	63	65	54	51	49	50	52	61	74	82	82	70	53	44	42
Wed	41	46	63	64	55	50	50	51	54	65	79	86	86	73	56	45	42
Thu	41	46	63	65	56	52	52	53	59	68	80	88	88	75	57	46	42
Fri	41	45	54	57	51	51	53	58	67	81	89	90	84	71	54	46	42
Sat	42	42	43	45	45	47	50	55	59	62	65	65	61	52	45	45	43
Sun	41	41	42	42	43	44	46	47	49	51	51	50	48	46	46	46	43

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 Santa Ana?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 8:30 pm. The drive usually takes about 41 minutes then, versus up to 90 minutes at the worst times.

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

The 46-mile drive usually takes 41 to 90 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 56 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Santa Monica to Santa Ana?

Leaving around 3:30 pm on Fridays is usually slowest, about 90 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Santa Ana 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	41	45	58	60	50	48	49	49	52	59	71	76	76	63	49	43	42
Tue	41	47	63	65	54	51	49	50	52	61	74	82	82	70	53	44	42
Wed	41	46	63	64	55	50	50	51	54	65	79	86	86	73	56	45	42
Thu	41	46	63	65	56	52	52	53	59	68	80	88	88	75	57	46	42
Fri	41	45	54	57	51	51	53	58	67	81	89	90	84	71	54	46	42
Sat	42	42	43	45	45	47	50	55	59	62	65	65	61	52	45	45	43
Sun	41	41	42	42	43	44	46	47	49	51	51	50	48	46	46	46	43

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	41	45	58	60	50	48	49	49	52	59	71	76	76	63	49	43	42
Tue	41	47	63	65	54	51	49	50	52	61	74	82	82	70	53	44	42
Wed	41	46	63	64	55	50	50	51	54	65	79	86	86	73	56	45	42
Thu	41	46	63	65	56	52	52	53	59	68	80	88	88	75	57	46	42
Fri	41	45	54	57	51	51	53	58	67	81	89	90	84	71	54	46	42
Sat	42	42	43	45	45	47	50	55	59	62	65	65	61	52	45	45	43
Sun	41	41	42	42	43	44	46	47	49	51	51	50	48	46	46	46	43

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	41	45	58	60	50	48	49	49	52	59	71	76	76	63	49	43	42
Tue	41	47	63	65	54	51	49	50	52	61	74	82	82	70	53	44	42
Wed	41	46	63	64	55	50	50	51	54	65	79	86	86	73	56	45	42
Thu	41	46	63	65	56	52	52	53	59	68	80	88	88	75	57	46	42
Fri	41	45	54	57	51	51	53	58	67	81	89	90	84	71	54	46	42
Sat	42	42	43	45	45	47	50	55	59	62	65	65	61	52	45	45	43
Sun	41	41	42	42	43	44	46	47	49	51	51	50	48	46	46	46	43