Origin
Santa Ana, CA
Afternoon in Santa Ana on Sunday
Local time
1:33 PM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Santa Ana, CA to Cudahy, CA
Drive Time
35m
Distance
25.2 mi
41 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Santa Ana, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Cudahy, CA
Efrem Efre
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit from Santa Ana to Cudahy, you are looking at a straightforward 25.2-mile journey through the Pacific Coast region. You can easily complete this trip in about 35 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, it is an economical route that requires no overnight stops. Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between major freeway corridors and local surface streets. Because both the origin and destination are located within the Pacific Coast region, the drive maintains a consistent urban atmosphere throughout your travel.
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
12.6 miles from Santa Ana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a blend of high-speed transit and local navigation, with roughly 60% of your time spent on highways. You will tackle your longest uninterrupted leg during the 15.3-mile stretch on the Santa Ana Freeway, where you can maintain a steady pace. As you exit the freeway, the character of the road shifts significantly as you transition onto Firestone Boulevard and North Broadway. Navigating these local roads provides a stark contrast to the earlier interstate intensity, giving you a functional mix of fast-paced driving and slower, more deliberate turns. You should stay alert as the environment changes from open freeway lanes to the busier street patterns near your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 15.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Broadway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 25.2 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles (I 5 / Santa Ana 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
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Broadway
Turn right onto North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway
Merge onto I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
11 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
17.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Norwalk Boulevard, Imperial Highway
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 121
Toward Norwalk Boulevard, Imperial Highway
5
18 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Imperial Highway
Turn left onto Imperial Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Santa Ana, CA to Cudahy, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Imperial Highway along the way.
Imperial Highway
17.3 mi in
|
~21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana Freeway | 15.3 mi | 17m |
| Firestone Boulevard | 6 mi | 9m |
| North Broadway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Imperial Highway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Atlantic Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Adoree Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Santa Clara Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Santa Ana Freeway
— 15.3 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana, CA and Cudahy, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broadway
Use the none lane.
3
Turn right onto West Santa Clara Avenue
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West Santa Clara Avenue
4
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
this road
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 5
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 121
Toward Norwalk Boulevard, Imperial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on Adoree Street
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Adoree Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn left onto Imperial Highway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Imperial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Turn slight right onto Firestone Boulevard
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Firestone Boulevard
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on Firestone Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Firestone Boulevard
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Atlantic Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
Atlantic Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 35-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the Santa Ana Freeway is always a smart move. Because the entire route covers only 25.2 miles, you won't need to worry about planning for mid-trip rests or multiple fuel stops. Keep your $6 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as this should be more than sufficient for the total distance. To ensure the smoothest experience, keep your navigation ready for the transition from the freeway onto Firestone Boulevard, as this turn is critical to keeping your travel time to the estimated 35-minute mark.
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 12.6 miles from Santa Ana, CA, or about 16m 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 25.2 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.6 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cudahy, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA
This is one driving day of about 25.2 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Santa Ana, 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 Ana Freeway for about 15.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.6 mi from Santa Ana, CA · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 25.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.6 miles from Santa Ana, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cudahy, CA
The final approach into Cudahy, 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 Cudahy, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.84 one way
$11.67 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $6.02 | $12.04 |
| premium | $6.24 | $6.19 | $12.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.60 | $11.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.65 | $1.21 |
| Efficient EV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.20 | $1.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.53 | $1.61 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Cudahy, CA
Afternoon in Cudahy on Sunday
Local time
1:33 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°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
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
35m 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 Santa Ana, CA to Cudahy, CA covers 25.2 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Santa Ana Freeway, Firestone Boulevard, North Broadway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.6 miles from Santa Ana, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.84 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 10 significant decision points across 25.2 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles (I 5 / Santa Ana Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Santa Ana, CA to Cudahy, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Imperial Highway along the way.
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