Origin
Irvine, CA
Afternoon in Irvine on Thursday
Local time
4:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Irvine, CA to Northridge, CA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
70 mi
113 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Irvine, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Northridge, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Irvine, CA to Northridge, CA covers 70 miles and takes about 1h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 405, San Diego Freeway, Parthenia Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.4 miles on I 405. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.09 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 70 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m 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 24m highway drive covering 70 miles, with most of the trip on I 405 and San Diego Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.4 miles on I 405.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 405 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 405 and San Diego Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles (I 405 / San Diego Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4
Toward University Drive, Jeffrey Road
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 405 North: Los Angeles
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 405 North: Los Angeles
6
8.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 405 / San Diego Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 / San Diego Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
18.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 405
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
65.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City
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 68
Toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City
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 Northridge, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Panorama City along the way.
Panorama City
65.7 mi in
|
~1h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 405 | 47.4 mi | 54m |
| San Diego Freeway | 17.6 mi | 20m |
| Parthenia Street | 3 mi | 5m |
| Roscoe Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Woodley Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Jeffrey Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 405
— 47.4 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvine, CA and Northridge, CA.
1
Start on I 405
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
San Diego Freeway
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 4
Toward 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 Angeles
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 405
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 405
47 mi
·
54 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 68
Toward Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Roscoe Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Roscoe Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto Woodley Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodley Avenue
11
Turn left onto Parthenia Street
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Parthenia Street
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
Parthenia Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35 mi from Irvine, CA · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35 miles from Irvine, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Northridge, CA
The final approach into Northridge, 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
$16.09 one way
$32.18 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $16.58 | $33.16 |
| premium | $6.18 | $17.02 | $34.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.46 | $30.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$16
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21 | 0 | $7.35 | $3.36 |
| Efficient EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.13 | $2.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28 | 0 | $9.80 | $4.48 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Northridge, CA
Afternoon in Northridge on Thursday
Local time
4:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
78°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
7 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 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Northridge, CA covers 70 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 405, San Diego Freeway, Parthenia Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35 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 $16.09 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 70 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles (I 405 / San Diego Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Irvine, CA to Northridge, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Panorama City along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Northridge, CA
More trips to Northridge, CA
Explore more options from Irvine, CA or browse trips ending in Northridge, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Irvine, CA or Northridge, CA on MapSof.net.