Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
54m
Distance
44 mi
71 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Newport Beach, CA
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking to escape the city for the coast, this 44-mile journey from Los Angeles to Newport Beach is a straightforward transition between two Pacific Coast hubs. You can expect the drive to take roughly 54 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $6, it is an economical way to reach the water. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, keeping the planning process simple for any traveler. Since both locations are firmly within the Pacific Coast region, you will notice a consistent coastal vibe throughout the trip. It is a practical, no-nonsense commute that gets you from the heart of LA to the Newport shores in under an hour.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana Freeway | 31.7 mi | 37m |
| Costa Mesa Freeway | 8 mi | 9m |
| Newport Boulevard | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Via Lido | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Via Oporto | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Aliso Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Newport Beach, CA.
Start on West 1st Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 101
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Merge onto CA 55
Continue on CA 55
Continue on CA 55
Continue on CA 55
Turn left onto Via Lido
Turn left onto Via Oporto
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 22 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 43.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CA 55 South: Newport Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Via Oporto
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$10.11 one way
$20.23 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $10.42 | $20.84 |
| premium | $6.18 | $10.70 | $21.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.71 | $19.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.62 | $2.11 |
| Efficient EV | 11 | 0 | $3.85 | $1.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.16 | $2.82 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Newport Beach on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 90% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating the Santa Ana Freeway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 31.7 miles. The drive transitions from the dense urban grid of Los Angeles onto the Costa Mesa Freeway before concluding via Newport Boulevard. While it lacks the winding curves of a back-country road, the route offers a reliable flow of traffic that moves you steadily toward the coast. You should be prepared for a high-speed, interstate-heavy environment that prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Santa Ana Freeway and Costa Mesa Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 44 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 54m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Newport Beach, CA, road signs point toward Broadway and Santa Ana.
Broadway
Santa Ana
“Tinseltown” · Founded 1781
Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
Top landmarks
Newport Beach is a city famous for its lavish lifestyle and beautiful surroundings. Television enthusiasts will recognize the resemblance to the show The O.C., and not just by virtue of its location in Orange County, California. The American city has its share of "beautiful people" often with wealth to spare. Yet it's very possible to enjoy life in Newport Beach amongst the millionaires on a relatively low budget.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 54m. Total distance: 44 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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