Road Trips from Santa Ana, CA
Looking for a quick escape from Santa Ana? You've got options ranging from short, scenic drives to longer hauls. With several destinations reachable within a half-day's drive featuring a drive score of 10 and nearby parks like the Santa Monica Mountains, you can easily plan a day trip. For those with more time, there are longer routes that break up into two days, offering varied terrain and more extensive park access, perfect for a weekend getaway.
Total Routes
48
Shortest
4.1h
With Parks Nearby
46
Weekend trip
42 total in this range
Seaside, CA
6h 50m351.8 mi one way
Planada, CA
5h 48m301 mi one way
This 301-mile trip to Planada, CA, offers a perfectly balanced drive with a score of 10, using a mix of highway and surface roads. It's a solid choice for a day trip, covering gently rolling terrain. It's a shorter option compared to the longer drives north.
Riverbank, CA
6h 46m350.8 mi one way
Tarpey Village, CA
4h 47m252 mi one way
If you want a high drive score without committing to a full weekend, Tarpey Village, CA, is 252 miles away with a score of 10. This route uses mixed highway and surface roads, traversing gently rolling terrain. It's a more accessible option than the longer northern routes.
Selma, CA
4h 24m235 mi one way
Long-haul ideas
6 total in this range
Cottonwood, CA
10h 15m559.9 mi one way
This is your longest option at 559.9 miles, making it a recommended overnight trip. The profile is a long-haul drive with hilly terrain and moderate elevation changes. It provides access to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
Cottonwood, CA
8h 23m446.9 mi one way
A 446.9-mile drive to Cottonwood, CA, this is a mostly highway route with an overnight recommendation. The terrain is hilly with moderate elevation changes. It's a good option if you want a two-day trip with park access.
Williams, CA
8h 43m473.8 mi one way
Wheatland, CA
8h 30m458 mi one way
This 458-mile drive to Wheatland, CA, is primarily a highway route and is recommended for an overnight stay. The terrain includes hilly sections with moderate elevation changes. It's a viable two-day option.
Cool, CA
8h 32m456.1 mi one way
Consider Cool, CA, 456.1 miles away for an overnight trip. This mostly highway route has a drive score of 7 and features high-altitude sections with notable climbs. It's a longer drive, best suited for two days.
Browse by Mood
Seaside, CA
6h 50m351.8 mi one way
Planada, CA
5h 48m301 mi one way
Riverbank, CA
6h 46m350.8 mi one way
Tarpey Village, CA
4h 47m252 mi one way
Seaside, CA
6h 50m351.8 mi one way
Selma, CA
4h 24m235 mi one way
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
6h 55m356.6 mi one way
Hanford, CA
4h 18m227.6 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers pleasant driving conditions for the gently rolling and hilly terrains found on many routes, with parks like Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area being accessible.
Summer
Summer is ideal for the longer, overnight drives to destinations like Cottonwood or Wheatland, as the higher mileage is more manageable with longer daylight hours.
Fall
Fall provides excellent driving weather for the varied terrains, from gently rolling to high-altitude sections, making routes like the one to Carmel-by-the-Sea particularly enjoyable.
Winter
Winter driving conditions can vary, especially on routes with high-altitude sections like the drive to Cool, CA, though shorter trips with mixed highway and surface roads remain viable.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Santa Ana, CA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.