Trip from Tracy, CA to Santa Ana, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 37m

Distance

356.9 mi

574 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$82

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

6h 26m ★

6 AM

6h 38m

8 AM

7h 2m

10 AM

6h 46m

12 PM

6h 44m

3 PM

6h 48m

5 PM

7h 1m

8 PM

6h 31m

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 San Joaquin County, California, United States

Tracy, CA

Wikimedia Commons

county seat and city of Orange County, California, United States

Santa Ana, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 356.9-mile drive from Tracy, CA, to Santa Ana, CA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 37 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused route, you'll spend about 97% of your time on major roads like the Westside Freeway and I-5 Truck, culminating on the Santa Ana Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $82, this trip is best tackled in one go, especially since the longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 224.4 miles. Both Tracy and Santa Ana are located within the Pacific Coast region, so expect a journey through California's familiar landscapes.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

178.4 miles from Tracy, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	224.4 mi	4h
I 5 Truck	83.3 mi	1h 36m
Santa Ana Freeway	26 mi	30m
William Elton Brown Freeway	8.7 mi	9m
Golden State Freeway	5.3 mi	6m
Corral Hollow Road	4.8 mi	7m
West 11th Street	1.5 mi	2m
North Broadway	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 224.4 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tracy, CA and Santa Ana, CA.

Start on I 205 Bus

1.5 mi · 2 min · West 11th Street

Turn left onto CR J2

4.8 mi · 7 min · Corral Hollow Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Merge onto I 580

2.8 mi · 2 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Merge onto I 5

224 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 5 Truck

Exit 158 Toward I 405 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

25 mi · 29 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

1.3 mi · 1 min · Golden State Freeway

Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 5

26 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 57 sec

Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 21 sec

Toward Main Street North, Broadway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Broadway

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Broadway

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto West 5th Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · West 5th Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto North Main Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North Main Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto West 1st Street

52 ft · 1 sec · West 1st Street

Use the right lane.

Arrive at destination

West 1st Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 356.9-mile journey, aim for an early morning departure from Tracy to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Southern California. With a total duration of around 6 hours and 37 minutes, a single stop for fuel and a break should be sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the longest stretch of 224.4 miles on the Westside Freeway, to ensure you have enough to reach your next planned stop. Given the highway-centric nature of this drive, planning your fuel and rest stops in advance will contribute to a smoother experience.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 178.4 miles from Tracy, CA, or about 3h 14m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 79 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 178.4 miles or 3h 14m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 25m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Tracy, 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 Tracy, CA

This is one driving day of about 356.9 miles and 6h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Tracy, CA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Los Angeles County, California, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Santa Clarita, CA

178 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

Turlock, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Avenal, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 178.4 miles from Tracy, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.4 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Orange, California

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 356.9

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17147873925

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Brot Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orange, California

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 356.9

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17146029894

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 356.9

Orange, California

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17147873925

Visit website

Muchá! Comida Chapina

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 305.9

North Hollywood, California

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18185034511

Visit website

Arc Food & Libations

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $50 to $10 mile 356.9

Costa Mesa, California

Hours: 4–11 pm

+19495005561

Visit website

Brot Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 356.9

Orange, California

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17146029894

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 305.9

North Hollywood, California

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

Visit website

Intrepid Escape Rooms Orange County

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 356.9

Tustin, California

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19498850111

Visit website

Tustin Area Historical Society

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 356.9

Tustin, California

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+17147315701

Visit website

UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art | Costa Mesa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 356.9

Costa Mesa, California

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+17147802130

Visit website

Mission Escape Games

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 356.9

Anaheim, California

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+16572345625

Visit website

Dearborn Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 305.9

Northridge, California

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18183633556

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 239.5 and 354.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

239.5 mi into trip | ~4h 19m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

301.9 mi into trip | ~5h 31m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 158 Toward I 405 South

326.9 mi into trip | ~6h 1m in | I 5 / Golden State Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Street, Santa Ana

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward CA 60 East, I 5 South: Pomona, Soto Stre...

354.1 mi into trip | ~6h 33m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana

354.9 mi into trip | ~6h 34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Main Street North, Broadway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Main Street North, Broadway

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$82.03 one way

$164.06 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 125 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.02	$84.53	$169.06
premium	$6.18	$86.79	$173.59
diesel	$5.61	$78.80	$157.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$82

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$107–$132

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 124.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	107.1	1	$37.47	$17.13
Efficient EV	89.2	1	$31.23	$14.28
EV Truck/SUV	142.8	1	$49.97	$22.84

Gas CO2

125 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Tracy, CA

Morning in Tracy on Sunday

Local time

7:35 AM

PDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Santa Ana, CA

Morning in Santa Ana on Sunday

Local time

7:35 AM

PDT

Current temp

72°F

Partly Sunny

SW 10 mph 0% chance 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

3 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

6h 37m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 295.3

View on nps.gov

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...

28 mi from route ~70 min detour Free near mile 233.8

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 97% of the drive utilizing major freeways. You'll encounter the Westside Freeway for an extended 224.4-mile segment, which will likely be the core of your journey. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed interstates, the character is consistent, offering a straightforward path with minimal deviations from the main arteries. This isn't a route for leisurely sightseeing on winding backroads, but rather for efficient travel between your starting point in Tracy and your destination in Santa Ana.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 224.4 mi on Westside Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 239.5 miles in near I 5 Truck.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 356.9 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 239.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 301.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 326.9 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Santa Ana, CA

Full guide →

Santa Ana is a city in Orange County, Southern California and is the county seat of that county.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 37m. Total distance: 356.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Santa Ana, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Santa Ana, CA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Tracy, CA or browse trips ending in Santa Ana, CA.

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Trip from Tracy, CA to Santa Ana, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Brot Coffee

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Muchá! Comida Chapina

Arc Food & Libations

Brot Coffee

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Range Charging Station

EVmatch Charging Station

Wat Thai of Los Angeles

Intrepid Escape Rooms Orange County

Tustin Area Historical Society

UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art | Costa Mesa

Mission Escape Games

Dearborn Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Tracy, CA

Santa Ana, CA

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 37m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

César E. Chávez National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Santa Ana, CA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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