How far is La Quinta, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance from La Quinta, CA to Irvine, CA is about 120.4 miles (193.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87 miles (140 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 07m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Riverside County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Quinta and Irvine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Quinta and Irvine.
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1
Start on Calle Chihuahua
584 ft · 28 sec · Calle Chihuahua
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2
Turn left onto Eisenhower Drive
1 km · 1 min · Eisenhower Drive
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eisenhower Drive
31 m · 3 sec · Eisenhower Drive
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
1230 ft · 30 sec · Eisenhower Drive
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eisenhower Drive
44 m · 4 sec · Eisenhower Drive
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
552 ft · 16 sec · Eisenhower Drive
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eisenhower Drive
33 m · 3 sec · Eisenhower Drive
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
1.8 mi · 3 min · Eisenhower Drive
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9
Turn left onto Washington Street
4.8 mi · 9 min · Washington Street
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10
Turn left onto Varner Road
871 ft · 32 sec · Varner Road
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 10 West
1033 ft · 25 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
25.3 mi · 27 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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13
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 19 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight left toward CA 60 West: Riverside
1022 ft · 13 sec
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15
Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
2677 ft · 33 sec · Moreno Valley Freeway
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16
Continue on Moreno Valley Expressway
2 mi · 2 min · Moreno Valley Expressway
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17
Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
16 mi · 20 min · Moreno Valley Freeway
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18
Merge slight left onto Escondido Freeway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Escondido Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
1.5 mi · 3 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
13.4 mi · 16 min · Riverside Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
1526 ft · 20 sec
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22
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 11 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward CA 241 South: Irvine
1.2 mi · 1 min
-
24
Continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
5.7 mi · 7 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
6.4 mi · 7 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
-
26
Continue on Jamboree Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Jamboree Road
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: San Diego
946 ft · 15 sec
-
28
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · San Diego Freeway
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Diego Freeway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Quinta and Irvine.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Merge slight left onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
25.3 mi · 00h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving La Quinta and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Quinta to Irvine?
The road trip is about 120.4 miles (193.7 km) and usually takes 02h 07m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Calimesa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.3 miles from La Quinta and 62 miles from Irvine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87 miles (140 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.52 one way or $49.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Quinta and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Stop Ideas Near Calimesa
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Khyra Beaucrest Ranch
Bear Springs Hotel
Hampton Inn & Suites Banning-Beaumont
City Of Redlands
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Calimesa.
Moreno Valley, California
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Cabazon, CA
Perris, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Quinta and Irvine. Straight-line distance: 87.01 mi (140.03 km).
#1 La Quinta
Town in Riverside County, California, United States
| Population | 23,694 |
| Coordinates | 33.6633600, -116.3100100 |
| Altitude | 41 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Irvine
A city located in Orange County, California.
| Population | 283,700 |
| Coordinates | 33.6694600, -117.8231100 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-117.823114, 33.669436)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 194 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $24.52 | $49.04 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $25.78 | $51.56 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $26.53 | $53.07 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $32.16 | $64.32 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.