Should you brave the I-5 or hop on Metrolink from Stevenson Ranch? If you split time between office days and remote work, that choice can shape your mornings, your budget, and your stress level. You deserve a commute that fits your routine and your priorities. In this guide, you’ll compare real travel times, costs, and first-mile options so you can pick the best fit for DTLA, Burbank, or Glendale. Let’s dive in.
Your options at a glance
Stevenson Ranch sits on the west side of the Santa Clarita Valley, about 30 to 38 miles from central Los Angeles depending on your exact destination. Typical non-peak drive times to Downtown Los Angeles are often shown around 35 to 40 minutes, but real times vary by the day and time of travel. You can check a current estimate with tools like TravelMath’s driving-time reference.
You do not have a Metrolink station inside Stevenson Ranch. The closest Antelope Valley Line stations are Via Princessa, Newhall, and Santa Clarita, which you can reach by Santa Clarita Transit Routes 5 and 6 or by driving and parking. All three stations offer park-and-ride options, and Metrolink station pages list details and amenities, such as Via Princessa’s parking capacity and services on the station information page. For local bus connections and the McBean Regional Transit Center hub, see Santa Clarita Transit’s routes and schedules.
Driving I-5: what to expect
Under light traffic, driving from Stevenson Ranch to downtown areas like Burbank or central Los Angeles can take roughly 25 to 40 minutes, with about 35 to 40 minutes commonly cited to Union Station. During peak rush hours, crashes, or lane closures, those times can double. Plan with real-time navigation on commute days and give yourself a buffer when you have fixed meetings.
Construction and rehabilitation work along I-5 through the Newhall Pass and Santa Clarita segment can also affect reliability. Expect changing lane patterns, night or weekend closures, and intermittent delays during work windows. You can monitor current work and advisories on the Caltrans I-5 project page.
Driving pros: full door-to-door control, flexible timing, and HOV lane eligibility if you carpool.
Driving tradeoffs: fuel and parking costs, incident risk, and variable arrival times when the corridor is busy.
Metrolink AV Line: how it works
From Newhall to L.A. Union Station, weekday Metrolink trains are often shown around 50 to 55 minutes. From Via Princessa, the ride is commonly about 60 to 70 minutes depending on the train’s stop pattern. Exact times vary by departure, so always confirm your train using Metrolink’s current schedules and check real-time alerts before you leave.
Station parking is available at Via Princessa, Newhall, and Santa Clarita, and many riders use local buses or a short drive to the station. You can review parking and amenities for the Santa Clarita area on Metrolink station pages like Via Princessa and match your first-mile plan using Santa Clarita Transit. If your job is near Union Station, the train offers a direct arrival downtown. If you work in Burbank or Glendale, select Antelope Valley Line trains stop at those stations.
Metrolink simplified fares in July 2025, which can change your cost picture. Notably, the $5 L.A. Zone Day Pass covers unlimited rides between central L.A.-area stations like Union Station, Glendale, and Burbank-Downtown. You can also choose the SoCal Day Pass, 5-Day Flex, or a monthly pass, with discounts for eligible riders. Review the latest options on Metrolink’s new fares page.
Time and cost: real-world scenarios
Here are common patterns to help you weigh the tradeoffs. Your exact results will depend on your schedule, connection timing, and destination.
Scenario A - Drive to DTLA
- Typical drive: about 35 to 50 minutes from Stevenson Ranch to central L.A., depending on when you leave. See a reference estimate on TravelMath.
- Add 5 to 15 minutes to find and access parking at your destination.
- Total door-to-door: roughly 40 to 65+ minutes on a typical day.
- Costs: Los Angeles gas prices were recently in the mid-4 dollars per gallon range, which affects per-trip cost by vehicle mpg and carpooling. See a current snapshot in this Los Angeles gas price report. Downtown parking often runs about 150 to 300 dollars per month, depending on location and building policy; check this Downtown L.A. parking market snapshot.
Scenario B - Metrolink from Newhall or Via Princessa
- First mile: 10 to 25 minutes by local bus or 10 to 20 minutes by car to the station, depending on route and time. Plan connections using Santa Clarita Transit’s schedules.
- Train time: about 50 to 55 minutes from Newhall to Union Station, or 60 to 70 minutes from Via Princessa. Confirm your exact train with Metrolink schedules or review a sample trip time via Rome2Rio’s Newhall to Union Station overview.
- Last mile: walk or transfer from the station to your office.
- Total door-to-door: often 60 to 90 minutes, but typically more predictable than freeway travel.
- Costs: consider the L.A. Zone Day Pass at 5 dollars for central L.A.-area trips or look at flex and monthly passes on Metrolink’s new fares. Metrolink station parking in the Santa Clarita area is generally free for riders, but always verify on your station’s page.
When to drive vs. ride
Choose to drive if you need total schedule control, frequent mid-day errands, or you carry equipment that is hard to transport. Driving can be faster on a good day, especially off-peak. It also benefits from carpooling when HOV lanes apply.
Choose Metrolink if you value predictable arrival times and a calmer commute. You can use the time to read or prep for meetings, and some employers subsidize transit. If you work near Union Station or along the line in Burbank or Glendale, the L.A. Zone Day Pass can be a cost win for part-time office days.
Try a one-week test
- Map your exact destination and hours. If you are near Union Station, consider the direct rail option. If your office is in Burbank or Glendale, confirm your stop pattern and whether the L.A. Zone fare covers it on Metrolink’s new fares.
- Check train times for your commute days. Use Metrolink’s schedule tool and set service alerts.
- Plan your first and last mile. Review Route 5 and Route 6 timing on Santa Clarita Transit or plan a short drive and park at the station.
- Compare costs for your pattern. Stack monthly parking and fuel against a monthly pass, or test day passes if you commute a few days a week.
- Monitor corridor work. Check Caltrans’ I-5 advisories on days you plan to drive.
- Try both. Log time, transfers, and how you feel arriving at work. Your comfort with schedule structure versus flexibility often decides it.
If a move is part of your plan, you can align your commute with the right neighborhood, price point, and home features. For local, boutique-level guidance on buying or selling in Stevenson Ranch and across the Santa Clarita Valley, connect with Kym De Lorenzo.
FAQs
How long is the Stevenson Ranch to DTLA drive on a typical day?
- Under light traffic it is often shown around 35 to 40 minutes, but peak congestion or incidents can push it well past an hour, so check a current estimate on tools like TravelMath.
How long is the Metrolink ride from Newhall to Union Station?
- Weekday trains are commonly around 50 to 55 minutes from Newhall, with exact times on Metrolink’s schedules.
What are my first-mile options from Stevenson Ranch to Metrolink?
- You can take Santa Clarita Transit Routes 5 and 6 to the Newhall or Santa Clarita stations, or drive and park; plan using Santa Clarita Transit’s routes.
How much does Metrolink cost for central L.A. trips?
- The L.A. Zone Day Pass is 5 dollars for unlimited rides between central L.A.-area stations like Union Station, Glendale, and Burbank-Downtown; see Metrolink’s new fares.
Is parking available at Santa Clarita-area Metrolink stations?
- Yes, stations such as Via Princessa list park-and-ride capacity and amenities on their pages; review details on the Via Princessa station page.
