How long does it take to get to Hollywood Burbank Airport and LAX from Old Orchard, Stevenson Ranch, and Newhall in the Santa Clarita Valley?
From Stevenson Ranch, you can reach Hollywood Burbank Airport in roughly 22 to 55 minutes depending on traffic, and LAX in about 42 to 110 minutes, making the Santa Clarita Valley a realistic base for professionals who fly regularly.
Why Airport Commute Times Matter for Buyers in Old Orchard and Stevenson Ranch Right Now
If you are a software engineer, consultant, or sales professional who catches flights every week, the distance between your front door and the terminal gate shapes your quality of life more than almost any other factor. I have spent 12 years helping families in the Santa Clarita Valley real estate market find the right home, and I can tell you that airport access is one of the first five questions move-up buyers ask me. The honest answer? Flying out of Valencia and Stevenson Ranch can be tricky if you do not plan your route. But the commutes from the Santa Clarita Valley are not bad when you weigh them against what you get for your money here: top-rated schools, safe neighborhoods, and significantly more house per dollar than anything closer to the Westside or the San Fernando Valley. With the median home price across Santa Clarita sitting at $775,000 across 902 closings tracked over the last six months (per Resideline), you are getting real value that justifies a longer drive to the terminal.
Hollywood Burbank Airport From Stevenson Ranch, Old Orchard, and Newhall
Hollywood Burbank Airport, still known to locals as BUR, is the airport I recommend to nearly every client who travels for business. Why? Compact terminal, short TSA lines, easy parking, and you can realistically arrive 45 to 60 minutes before a domestic departure and still feel relaxed. Here is what the drive looks like from each community, based on current traffic patterns:
- Stevenson Ranch (via I-5 South): roughly 22 miles, about 22 to 28 minutes off-peak, and 35 to 55 minutes during rush hour
- Old Orchard in Valencia (via I-5 South to SR-134 East): roughly 25 miles, about 25 to 30 minutes off-peak, and 40 to 60 minutes during rush hour
- Newhall (via I-5 South): roughly 24 miles, about 24 to 30 minutes off-peak, and 38 to 55 minutes during rush hour
The airlines serving BUR cover most major domestic business destinations: Southwest, JetBlue, United, American, Delta, Alaska, Spirit, and Avelo all operate there. If you are flying to the Bay Area, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, or Dallas on a Monday morning, Burbank handles those routes efficiently. What I tell my clients is this: if you leave Stevenson Ranch by 5:30 a.m. for a 7:15 flight, you will likely be at the gate with coffee in hand and time to spare.
Getting to LAX From the Santa Clarita Valley
LAX is the reality check. You will need it for most international itineraries and for certain domestic routes that Burbank does not serve. The drive is longer and less predictable, especially if you are heading out during the afternoon rush between 3 and 7 p.m.
- Stevenson Ranch to LAX: roughly 42 miles, about 42 to 50 minutes off-peak, and 70 to 110 minutes during rush hour
- Old Orchard in Valencia to LAX: roughly 45 miles, about 45 to 55 minutes off-peak, and 75 to 120 minutes during rush hour
- Newhall to LAX: roughly 44 miles, about 44 to 52 minutes off-peak, and 70 to 115 minutes during rush hour
The primary route runs I-5 South to I-405 South. In my experience with over 62 closed transactions in this market and countless conversations about commute logistics, I have found that the buyers who make LAX work from the SCV are the ones who build predictability into their schedule. Early morning flights (before 8 a.m. departure) or red-eye returns keep you ahead of the worst congestion windows.
So is LAX a dealbreaker? Not for most of my clients. The typical frequency for international travel is far lower than domestic trips. Most weeks, you are using Burbank. LAX becomes a once-a-month or once-a-quarter trip, and planning your departure time makes all the difference.
How Old Orchard and Stevenson Ranch Compare for Frequent-Flying Families
Here is where it gets interesting for move-up buyers weighing these two neighborhoods side by side. Both sit along the I-5 corridor, giving you a straight shot south toward Burbank and Los Angeles, but they serve different needs and budgets.
Old Orchard in Valencia
Old Orchard sits near McBean Parkway and [Copper Hill](https://timothyatwood.com/search/Copper Hill) Drive, and it is what I call “starter Valencia.” You will find well-maintained townhomes from the late 1980s and early 1990s with community pools, small fenced patios, and HOA fees in the $350 to $450 per month range. Entry-level condos and townhomes in this corridor start closer to $475,000 to $550,000, according to Resideline hyperlocal data as of October 2026. For a consultant or sales professional who is gone three days a week, the low-maintenance HOA lifestyle means you are not worrying about yard work while you are on the road. Schools serving this area include Bridgeport Elementary (rated 8 out of 10 on GreatSchools), Rio Norte Junior High (8 out of 10), and Valencia High School (8 out of 10), all within the William S. Hart Union High School District and the Newhall School District.
Stevenson Ranch
If you are upgrading and want more space, Stevenson Ranch delivers larger lots, premium single-family homes, and a master-planned feel with National Blue Ribbon Schools and California Distinguished Schools in the community. As of October 2026, Stevenson Ranch had 49 listed properties with a median list price of $1,139,000 at roughly $447 per square foot, according to local MLS data. Homes here are selling in about 16 days, and months of supply sit around 2.1, which signals a strong seller’s market within this particular pocket. The trade-off? You pay more, but you are roughly three miles closer to I-5 southbound than some parts of Valencia, trimming a few minutes off every airport run.
With 21 five-star reviews from past clients and my Rising Star Award, I have walked families through this exact comparison many times. The right answer depends on where you are in your career trajectory, how often you fly, and how much equity you are bringing from a previous home.
The Metrolink Option and Downtown LA Commute From Newhall
You do not have to drive every time. The Metrolink Antelope Valley Line at the Valencia/Newhall Station offers direct service to Los Angeles Union Station in approximately 55 to 65 minutes. For city workers who split time between an office in downtown LA and air travel, Newhall positions you within walking distance of that rail connection. Newhall also provides some of the most accessible price points in the valley, with historic Main Street Newhall undergoing revitalization and newer infill development creating options for buyers who want character and convenience.
What does that mean for your daily life? If you work two or three days in downtown LA and fly out of Burbank one day a week, you can build a commute pattern that avoids freeway driving entirely on your in-office days while keeping Burbank under 30 minutes off-peak on your travel days.
What You Get for Your Money in the Santa Clarita Valley Versus Living Closer to the Airports
This is the conversation I have with every buyer who is on the fence. The median closing price in Santa Clarita is $775,000 across 902 closings tracked over the last six months, per Resideline. Meanwhile, equivalent neighborhoods closer to Burbank or LAX in the San Fernando Valley, Glendale, or Westside communities carry significantly higher price tags with less square footage, smaller lots, and lower school ratings.
The Santa Clarita Valley median household income sits at approximately $123,062, according to U.S. News Real Estate data. Home values across the valley have increased by 4% over the past year and 21.7% over the last five years, demonstrating long-term equity growth. You are not sacrificing investment performance by choosing the SCV; you are gaining square footage, yard space, safety, and school quality while building wealth at a competitive appreciation rate.
Valencia’s Paseo System, with over 40 miles of pedestrian pathways connecting neighborhoods across bridges and underpasses, means your kids can ride bikes from Old Orchard to Bridgeport Lake Park on McBean Parkway without crossing a single road. Try finding that in Burbank.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to drive from Stevenson Ranch to Burbank Airport?
Stevenson Ranch to Hollywood Burbank Airport covers roughly 22 miles via I-5 South. Off-peak, you are looking at about 22 to 28 minutes. During rush hour, that window stretches to 35 to 55 minutes. Early morning departures before 7 a.m. consistently hit the shorter end of that range.
Can I realistically commute to LAX from Valencia or Old Orchard?
Yes, but it requires planning. The drive from Valencia to LAX is roughly 45 miles, taking 45 to 55 minutes off-peak and 75 to 120 minutes during afternoon rush, per the research data. I recommend scheduling departures before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. to avoid the worst congestion on the 405.
What airlines fly out of Hollywood Burbank Airport?
BUR serves Southwest, JetBlue, United, American, Delta, Alaska, Spirit, and Avelo. That covers most major domestic business destinations, including nonstop routes to San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, and several East Coast cities.
Is Newhall a good option for buyers who need both rail and airport access?
Absolutely. Newhall sits near the Valencia/Newhall Metrolink Station, offering direct service to LA Union Station in about 55 to 65 minutes. It is also roughly 24 miles from Burbank Airport, making it a strong dual-access location for professionals splitting time between downtown LA and air travel.
What is the median home price in Stevenson Ranch as of 2026?
As of October 2026, Stevenson Ranch had a median list price of $1,139,000 at roughly $447 per square foot, according to local MLS data. Months of supply sat around 2.1, with homes selling in about 16 days.
How does Old Orchard in Valencia compare in price to Stevenson Ranch?
Old Orchard offers entry-level condos and townhomes starting in the $475,000 to $550,000 range, per Resideline hyperlocal data as of October 2026, while Stevenson Ranch’s median list price is $1,139,000. Old Orchard is a strong starting point for move-up buyers building equity toward a future Stevenson Ranch purchase.
What schools serve families in Old Orchard and Valencia?
Valencia is served by the William S. Hart Union High School District and the Newhall School District. Key campuses include Valencia High School (rated 8 out of 10 on GreatSchools), Rio Norte Junior High (8 out of 10), and Bridgeport Elementary (8 out of 10).
What is the best route from Stevenson Ranch to Burbank Airport?
The most direct route is I-5 South to SR-134 East, exiting at Hollywood Way. This avoids surface street congestion through the San Fernando Valley and keeps your drive time as predictable as possible during moderate traffic.
Are there HOA communities in Old Orchard that suit frequent travelers?
Yes. Old Orchard’s townhome communities feature HOA-maintained landscaping, community pools, and exterior upkeep, with HOA fees typically in the $350 to $450 per month range. This low-maintenance setup is ideal for professionals who travel multiple days per week and do not want to manage yard work remotely.
How much house can I get in Santa Clarita compared to neighborhoods closer to Burbank Airport?
The median closing price across Santa Clarita is $775,000, per Resideline data as of October 2026 across 902 closings. Comparable neighborhoods closer to BUR in the San Fernando Valley, Glendale, or Pasadena typically command higher prices for less square footage, smaller lots, and lower-rated schools. The SCV consistently delivers more home per dollar for families willing to add 15 to 20 minutes to their airport commute.
The Bottom Line
The commute from Old Orchard, Stevenson Ranch, and Newhall to the airports is manageable, and what you gain in return is substantial: excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, strong appreciation, and the kind of space your family actually needs. Burbank Airport is your go-to for weekly business travel at 22 to 30 minutes off-peak from most SCV communities. LAX requires more planning but works for the occasional international trip. With 12 years of experience, 62 closed transactions, and a Rookie of the Year and Rising Star Award on my resume, I help move-up buyers and frequent-flying professionals navigate exactly this decision every month. If you are weighing the commute math against what you get for your money in the Santa Clarita Valley, give me a call at 213-598-8205 or visit timothyatwood.com. I am Timothy Atwood with Park Regency Realty, California DRE License 01956438, and I would be glad to walk you through the neighborhoods in person.
