How far is Lake Arrowhead, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance from Lake Arrowhead, CA to Irvine, CA is about 78.2 miles (125.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 54.1 miles (87 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 06m 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 01h 33m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Riverside County, California and the center of the Riverside metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Arrowhead and Irvine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Arrowhead and Irvine.
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1
Start on Mittry Drive
63 m · 10 sec · Mittry Drive
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2
Turn left
1.5 mi · 3 min
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Rim of the World Highway
16.1 mi · 24 min · Rim of the World Highway
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4
Continue on Waterman Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · Waterman Avenue
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5
Turn right onto 30th Street
655 ft · 19 sec · 30th Street
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6
Take the ramp left toward CA 210 West: Los Angeles, Riverside
1237 ft · 30 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
2322 ft · 30 sec · Foothill Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 215 South: Riverside
2084 ft · 51 sec
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9
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 1 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 215 South
2132 ft · 52 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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12
Continue on Riverside Freeway
5.3 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway
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13
Continue on Riverside Freeway
14.8 mi · 17 min · Riverside Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street
1526 ft · 20 sec
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15
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 11 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 241 South: Irvine
1.2 mi · 1 min
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17
Continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
5.7 mi · 7 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
6.4 mi · 7 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
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19
Continue on Jamboree Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Jamboree Road
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: San Diego
946 ft · 15 sec
-
21
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · San Diego Freeway
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Diego Freeway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Arrowhead 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.
Rim of the World Highway
At the end of the road, turn right onto Rim of the World Highway
16.1 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lake Arrowhead 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 Lake Arrowhead to Irvine?
The road trip is about 78.2 miles (125.9 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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?
Riverside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.5 miles from Lake Arrowhead and 40.8 miles from Irvine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 54.1 miles (87 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 3:24 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.92 one way or $31.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Arrowhead and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Stop Ideas Near Riverside
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall
Fontana Mayor
Cucamonga Sign Shop LLC
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Riverside.
Riverside–Downtown
Moreno Valley, California
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Perris, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Arrowhead and Irvine. Straight-line distance: 54.03 mi (86.96 km).
#1 Lake Arrowhead
Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California, United States
| Population | 12,424 |
| Coordinates | 34.2483400, -117.1892100 |
| Altitude | 1577 |
| 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: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $15.92 | $31.84 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $16.74 | $33.48 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $17.23 | $34.46 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $20.88 | $41.77 |
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.