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Trip from Pomona, CA to Santa Monica, CA

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

57m

Distance

45.6 mi

73 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 53m ★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Pomona, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Santa Monica, CA, CA

Santa Monica, CA

Bjorn Pierre

Trip Overview

Embark on a straightforward 45.6-mile journey from Pomona, CA, to Santa Monica, CA, which should take about 57 minutes. This drive is predominantly highway, with 89% of it utilizing major freeways like the Pomona, San Bernardino, and Santa Monica Freeways. Given its short duration and focused highway profile, it's an ideal day trip, requiring no overnight stops. You can anticipate a fuel cost of around $10 for this route. This drive efficiently connects two areas within the broader Pacific Coast region, offering a direct path across Southern California.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

22.8 miles from Pomona, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive, with the vast majority of your travel occurring on major freeways. Expect a consistent driving experience for most of the 45.6 miles, with an 89% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 15.3 miles on the Santa Monica Freeway. While primarily a freeway experience, this route is designed for efficient transit rather than scenic detours, meaning you'll be navigating high-speed traffic for the bulk of your trip.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Santa Monica Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Santa Monica Freeway and Pomona Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 45.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: Los Angeles

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15 Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
7
14.6 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the exit toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 31A Toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway
8
17.4 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward CA 60 East, CA 60 West: Pomona Freeway, Pomona, Los Angeles

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 19 Toward CA 60 East, CA 60 West: Pomona Freeway,...
9
17.6 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight right at fork toward CA 60 West: Los Angeles, Pomona Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward CA 60 West: Los Angeles, Pomona Freeway
8
32.5 mi into trip | ~41m in | I 10 / Santa Monica Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Santa Monica Freeway toward Hoover Street, Vermont Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Hoover Street, Vermont Avenue

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 Pomona, CA to Santa Monica, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.

Los Angeles

17.4 mi in | ~23m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Santa Monica Freeway 15.3 mi 18m
Pomona Freeway 11.7 mi 13m
San Bernardino Freeway 10.3 mi 11m
San Gabriel River Freeway 2.3 mi 2m
West Mission Boulevard 1.6 mi 2m
Chino Valley Freeway 1 mi 1m
Lincoln Boulevard 0.4 mi 1m
Olympic Boulevard <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Santa Monica Freeway — 15.3 mi, about 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pomona, CA and Santa Monica, CA.

1

Start on South Main Street

90 ft · 8 sec · South Main Street
2

Turn right onto West Mission Boulevard

1.6 mi · 2 min · West Mission Boulevard
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward CA 71 North Use the right lane.
4

Merge onto CA 71

1.0 mi · 1 min · Chino Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork

1.5 mi · 3 min
Exit 15 Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles Use the slight right lane.
6

Merge onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.5 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.6 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 31A Toward I 605: San Gabriel River Freeway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 605 South: San Bernardino Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 605

2.3 mi · 2 min · San Gabriel River Freeway
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 19 Toward CA 60 East, CA 60 West: Pomona Freeway, Pomona, Los Angeles Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward CA 60 West: Los Angeles, Pomona Freeway Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18

Merge onto CA 60

10 mi · 12 min · Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on CA 60

1.3 mi · 1 min · Pomona Freeway
Exit 1A Toward I 10 West: Santa Monica Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Merge onto I 10

3.0 mi · 4 min · Santa Monica Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

12 mi · 14 min · Santa Monica Freeway
Toward Hoover Street, Vermont Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 1B Toward CA 1 South: Lincoln Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn straight onto Olympic Boulevard

478 ft · 14 sec · Olympic Boulevard
24

Turn right onto US 66 Hist

0.4 mi · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Arrive at destination

US 66 Hist

Trip Plan

Since this 57-minute drive is a straightforward 45.6 miles and primarily highway, you have a lot of flexibility. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to minimize traffic, especially when approaching Santa Monica. With no designated stops and a manageable fuel cost of $10, you can focus on reaching your destination efficiently. The longest stretch without exits is 15.3 miles, so ensure you have what you need before entering that segment. This quick transit makes it easy to add to another activity or simply get across town.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 22.8 miles from Pomona, CA, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.3 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 45.6 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 22.8 miles or 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Santa Monica, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Pomona, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Pomona, CA

This is one driving day of about 45.6 miles and 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pomona, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Santa Monica Freeway for about 15.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22.8 mi from Pomona, CA · 29m into the drive

Downtown los-angeles-ca

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Los Angeles, CA

23 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

Los Angeles, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Los Angeles, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.8 miles from Pomona, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Santa Monica, CA

The final approach into Santa Monica, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Santa Monica, CA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 45.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.48 one way

$20.96 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $10.80 $21.60
premium $6.18 $11.09 $22.18
diesel $5.61 $10.07 $20.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 16 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.7 0 $4.79 $2.19
Efficient EV 11.4 0 $3.99 $1.82
EV Truck/SUV 18.2 0 $6.38 $2.92

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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 data refreshed 1 hour from now

Origin

Pomona, CA

Afternoon in Pomona on Tuesday

Local time

4:05 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Santa Monica, CA

Afternoon in Santa Monica on Tuesday

Local time

4:05 PM

PDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

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

14 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

57m 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 Pomona, CA to Santa Monica, CA covers 45.6 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Santa Monica Freeway, Pomona Freeway, San Bernardino 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 22.8 miles from Pomona, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.48 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 is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 45.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Pomona, CA to Santa Monica, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Los Angeles along the way.

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