Best Time to Drive from Van Nuys to Santa Ana

Right now (9:01 am PDT): about 48 minutes via I-5 South and US-101 South, usually 49 at this time.

On weekdays the 49-mile drive from Van Nuys to Santa Ana (via I-5 South and US-101 South) usually takes as little as 44 minutes and up to 92 minutes, when leaving around 4:30 pm on Thursdays. The fastest times to leave are before 6 am or after 8 pm. Midday (11 am to 2 pm) it takes about 60 minutes. On weekends it is slowest around 3:30 pm on Saturdays (67 minutes).

Typical drive time by departure time

Minutes from Van Nuys 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	45	50	64	65	56	53	53	53	56	61	72	77	76	64	51	47	46
Tue	45	51	70	69	59	55	54	54	56	63	75	83	82	70	55	48	45
Wed	44	50	70	69	60	55	55	55	58	67	80	87	87	73	57	49	46
Thu	45	50	69	70	60	56	57	58	62	69	81	89	88	75	58	49	46
Fri	45	49	59	62	56	56	58	62	70	81	91	91	85	71	56	49	46
Sat	45	46	47	48	49	51	54	59	62	65	67	66	63	55	49	49	46
Sun	45	45	45	46	47	48	50	52	54	56	55	54	52	49	50	50	46

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 Van Nuys to Santa Ana?

On weekdays, leave before 6 am or after 8 pm. The drive usually takes about 44 minutes then, versus up to 92 minutes at the worst times.

How long does it take to drive from Van Nuys to Santa Ana?

The 49-mile drive usually takes 44 to 92 minutes on weekdays, depending on when you leave, and about 60 minutes midday.

When is traffic worst from Van Nuys to Santa Ana?

Leaving around 4:30 pm on Thursdays is usually slowest, about 92 minutes.

Estimate this drive for any day and departure time →

More drives

Santa Ana to Van Nuys (return trip) · Van Nuys to Los Angeles · Van Nuys to Santa Monica · Van Nuys to Pasadena · Van Nuys to Long Beach · Van Nuys to West Covina · Van Nuys to Glendale · Van Nuys to Santa Clarita · Van Nuys to Torrance · Van Nuys to LAX · Van Nuys to Culver City · Van Nuys 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	45	50	64	65	56	53	53	53	56	61	72	77	76	64	51	47	46
Tue	45	51	70	69	59	55	54	54	56	63	75	83	82	70	55	48	45
Wed	44	50	70	69	60	55	55	55	58	67	80	87	87	73	57	49	46
Thu	45	50	69	70	60	56	57	58	62	69	81	89	88	75	58	49	46
Fri	45	49	59	62	56	56	58	62	70	81	91	91	85	71	56	49	46
Sat	45	46	47	48	49	51	54	59	62	65	67	66	63	55	49	49	46
Sun	45	45	45	46	47	48	50	52	54	56	55	54	52	49	50	50	46

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	45	50	64	65	56	53	53	53	56	61	72	77	76	64	51	47	46
Tue	45	51	70	69	59	55	54	54	56	63	75	83	82	70	55	48	45
Wed	44	50	70	69	60	55	55	55	58	67	80	87	87	73	57	49	46
Thu	45	50	69	70	60	56	57	58	62	69	81	89	88	75	58	49	46
Fri	45	49	59	62	56	56	58	62	70	81	91	91	85	71	56	49	46
Sat	45	46	47	48	49	51	54	59	62	65	67	66	63	55	49	49	46
Sun	45	45	45	46	47	48	50	52	54	56	55	54	52	49	50	50	46

Leave	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	45	50	64	65	56	53	53	53	56	61	72	77	76	64	51	47	46
Tue	45	51	70	69	59	55	54	54	56	63	75	83	82	70	55	48	45
Wed	44	50	70	69	60	55	55	55	58	67	80	87	87	73	57	49	46
Thu	45	50	69	70	60	56	57	58	62	69	81	89	88	75	58	49	46
Fri	45	49	59	62	56	56	58	62	70	81	91	91	85	71	56	49	46
Sat	45	46	47	48	49	51	54	59	62	65	67	66	63	55	49	49	46
Sun	45	45	45	46	47	48	50	52	54	56	55	54	52	49	50	50	46