The drive from Irvine, CA to North Hollywood, CA covers 58.1 miles and takes about 1h 9m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Santa Ana Freeway, Golden State Freeway, San Diego Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.6 miles on Santa Ana Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.35 one way before food or hotel costs.
Irvine is a city of 308,000 people (2020) in Orange County, California. Irvine is one of the newest and largest cities in Orange County, and it is still growing. The city is a perfectly planned suburbia. The Irvine Company started developing the area in the 1960s and the city was formally incorporated on December 28, 1971.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 9m. Total distance: 58.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 9m highway drive covering 58.1 miles, with most of the trip on Santa Ana Freeway and Golden State Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 29.6 miles on Santa Ana Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Santa Ana Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 29.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Santa Ana Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.1 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
6.3 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: Freeway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9A
Toward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: Freeway
7
6.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 55 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 55 North
7
10.6 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 5 North: Santa Ana
7
51.6 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, Ventura
8
56.5 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1С
Toward Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Irvine, CA to North Hollywood, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Ventura
51.6 mi in|~1h
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Santa Ana Freeway
29.6 mi
34m
Golden State Freeway
10.7 mi
12m
San Diego Freeway
5.6 mi
6m
Ventura Freeway
4.5 mi
5m
Costa Mesa Freeway
3.6 mi
4m
Lankershim Boulevard
1.4 mi
3m
Jeffrey Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Tujunga Avenue
<0.1 mi
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Santa Ana Freeway
— 29.6 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine, CA and North Hollywood, CA.
1
Start on I 405
1.4 mi·1 min·San Diego Freeway
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Exit 4Toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
3
Turn left onto Jeffrey Road
0.2 mi·22 sec·Jeffrey Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 405 North: Los AngelesUse the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 405
4.2 mi·4 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 9AToward CA 55 South, CA 55 North: FreewayUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward CA 55 NorthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto CA 55
3.2 mi·3 min·Costa Mesa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 55
0.4 mi·28 sec·Costa Mesa Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 10BToward I 5 North: Santa AnaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 5
0.5 mi·36 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.7 mi·1 min·Santa Ana Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
9.4 mi·10 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi·20 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
11 mi·12 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward CA 134 West: Ventura Freeway, VenturaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto CA 134
0.6 mi·38 sec·Ventura Freeway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.9 mi·2 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
0.8 mi·52 sec·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 134
1.3 mi·1 min·Ventura Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 1СToward Lankershim Boulevard, North HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Lankershim Boulevard
1.4 mi·3 min·Lankershim Boulevard
Use the right lane.
23
Turn slight right onto Tujunga Avenue
26 ft·0 sec·Tujunga Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Tujunga Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.1 mi from Irvine, CA
· 33m into the drive
The midpoint is around 29.1 miles from Irvine, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in North Hollywood, CA
The final approach into North Hollywood, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.35 one way
$26.71 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg20 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$13.76
$27.52
premium
$6.18
$14.13
$28.26
diesel
$5.61
$12.83
$25.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.4
0
$6.10
$2.79
Efficient EV
14.5
0
$5.08
$2.32
EV Truck/SUV
23.2
0
$8.13
$3.72
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Irvine, CA
Evening
in Irvine on Friday
Local time
5:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 3:02AM MST until April 17 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 2:56AM PDT until April 17 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
North Hollywood, CA
Evening
in North Hollywood on Friday
Local time
5:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Irvine, CA to North Hollywood, CA covers 58.1 miles and takes about 1h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Santa Ana Freeway, Golden State Freeway, San Diego Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.1 miles from Irvine, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.35 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.1 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Irvine, CA to North Hollywood, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Ventura along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
