Best Time to Drive from Santa Monica to Whittier

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 32 minutes via I-10 East and I-5 South, usually 33 at this time.

On weekdays the 30-mile drive from Santa Monica to Whittier (via I-10 East and I-5 South) usually takes as little as 30 minutes and up to 67 minutes, when leaving around 4:30 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 42 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3 pm on Saturdays (48 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Santa Monica to Whittier 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	31	32	37	40	36	35	36	36	38	44	53	57	57	49	37	32	31
Tue	31	33	39	42	38	37	36	37	39	46	55	61	61	53	40	32	31
Wed	30	33	39	42	38	36	37	38	41	49	59	63	64	56	42	33	31
Thu	30	33	39	43	39	37	38	39	43	51	60	65	66	57	43	35	31
Fri	31	32	37	41	38	38	40	44	50	58	65	64	62	53	41	34	31
Sat	31	31	32	33	33	35	37	41	44	47	48	48	46	39	33	33	32
Sun	31	31	31	31	32	33	34	35	37	38	38	37	35	33	33	34	32

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 Whittier?

On weekdays, leave before 6:30 am or after 8 pm. The drive usually takes about 30 minutes then, versus up to 67 minutes at the worst times.

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

The 30-mile drive usually takes 30 to 67 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 42 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Santa Monica to Whittier?

Leaving around 4:30 pm on Thursdays is usually slowest, about 67 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Whittier 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	31	32	37	40	36	35	36	36	38	44	53	57	57	49	37	32	31
Tue	31	33	39	42	38	37	36	37	39	46	55	61	61	53	40	32	31
Wed	30	33	39	42	38	36	37	38	41	49	59	63	64	56	42	33	31
Thu	30	33	39	43	39	37	38	39	43	51	60	65	66	57	43	35	31
Fri	31	32	37	41	38	38	40	44	50	58	65	64	62	53	41	34	31
Sat	31	31	32	33	33	35	37	41	44	47	48	48	46	39	33	33	32
Sun	31	31	31	31	32	33	34	35	37	38	38	37	35	33	33	34	32

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	31	32	37	40	36	35	36	36	38	44	53	57	57	49	37	32	31
Tue	31	33	39	42	38	37	36	37	39	46	55	61	61	53	40	32	31
Wed	30	33	39	42	38	36	37	38	41	49	59	63	64	56	42	33	31
Thu	30	33	39	43	39	37	38	39	43	51	60	65	66	57	43	35	31
Fri	31	32	37	41	38	38	40	44	50	58	65	64	62	53	41	34	31
Sat	31	31	32	33	33	35	37	41	44	47	48	48	46	39	33	33	32
Sun	31	31	31	31	32	33	34	35	37	38	38	37	35	33	33	34	32

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	31	32	37	40	36	35	36	36	38	44	53	57	57	49	37	32	31
Tue	31	33	39	42	38	37	36	37	39	46	55	61	61	53	40	32	31
Wed	30	33	39	42	38	36	37	38	41	49	59	63	64	56	42	33	31
Thu	30	33	39	43	39	37	38	39	43	51	60	65	66	57	43	35	31
Fri	31	32	37	41	38	38	40	44	50	58	65	64	62	53	41	34	31
Sat	31	31	32	33	33	35	37	41	44	47	48	48	46	39	33	33	32
Sun	31	31	31	31	32	33	34	35	37	38	38	37	35	33	33	34	32