Best Time to Drive from SNA to LAX

Right now (9:46 am PDT): about 39 minutes via I-405 North, usually 39 at this time.

On weekdays the 41-mile drive from SNA to LAX (via I-405 North) usually takes as little as 37 minutes and up to 53 minutes, when leaving around 5 pm on Thursdays. The fastest times to leave are before 7 am or after 7 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 42 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (43 minutes).

⇄ Reverse trip: LAX to SNA

Drive times are measured from John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) (Paularino Avenue) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) along the route shown. Starting or ending elsewhere in a big city can add or save several minutes.

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from SNA to LAX 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	37	39	41	43	42	42	41	41	42	42	43	44	45	43	39	39	38
Tue	37	39	42	44	43	42	42	41	41	42	44	46	48	45	40	39	38
Wed	37	39	42	44	43	42	42	42	42	42	44	47	51	47	40	39	38
Thu	37	39	42	43	43	42	42	42	42	43	46	49	53	48	41	39	38
Fri	37	39	41	42	42	42	42	42	43	45	47	49	50	46	40	39	38
Sat	38	38	38	39	39	40	41	41	42	42	43	43	42	40	39	39	38
Sun	38	38	38	38	38	39	40	40	41	41	41	40	40	40	40	40	38

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 SNA to LAX?

On weekdays, leave before 7 am or after 7 pm. The drive usually takes about 37 minutes then, versus up to 53 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from SNA to LAX?

The 41-mile drive usually takes 37 to 53 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 42 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from SNA to LAX?

Leaving around 5 pm on Thursdays is usually slowest, about 53 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

LAX to SNA (return trip) · SNA to Los Angeles · SNA to Santa Monica · SNA to Pasadena · SNA to Long Beach · SNA to West Covina · SNA to Burbank · SNA to Glendale · SNA to Santa Clarita · SNA to Van Nuys · SNA to Torrance · SNA to Hollywood

Open the live traffic map →

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	37	39	41	43	42	42	41	41	42	42	43	44	45	43	39	39	38
Tue	37	39	42	44	43	42	42	41	41	42	44	46	48	45	40	39	38
Wed	37	39	42	44	43	42	42	42	42	42	44	47	51	47	40	39	38
Thu	37	39	42	43	43	42	42	42	42	43	46	49	53	48	41	39	38
Fri	37	39	41	42	42	42	42	42	43	45	47	49	50	46	40	39	38
Sat	38	38	38	39	39	40	41	41	42	42	43	43	42	40	39	39	38
Sun	38	38	38	38	38	39	40	40	41	41	41	40	40	40	40	40	38

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	37	39	41	43	42	42	41	41	42	42	43	44	45	43	39	39	38
Tue	37	39	42	44	43	42	42	41	41	42	44	46	48	45	40	39	38
Wed	37	39	42	44	43	42	42	42	42	42	44	47	51	47	40	39	38
Thu	37	39	42	43	43	42	42	42	42	43	46	49	53	48	41	39	38
Fri	37	39	41	42	42	42	42	42	43	45	47	49	50	46	40	39	38
Sat	38	38	38	39	39	40	41	41	42	42	43	43	42	40	39	39	38
Sun	38	38	38	38	38	39	40	40	41	41	41	40	40	40	40	40	38

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	37	39	41	43	42	42	41	41	42	42	43	44	45	43	39	39	38
Tue	37	39	42	44	43	42	42	41	41	42	44	46	48	45	40	39	38
Wed	37	39	42	44	43	42	42	42	42	42	44	47	51	47	40	39	38
Thu	37	39	42	43	43	42	42	42	42	43	46	49	53	48	41	39	38
Fri	37	39	41	42	42	42	42	42	43	45	47	49	50	46	40	39	38
Sat	38	38	38	39	39	40	41	41	42	42	43	43	42	40	39	39	38
Sun	38	38	38	38	38	39	40	40	41	41	41	40	40	40	40	40	38