How far is Los Angeles, CA from Thermal, CA?
The driving distance from Los Angeles, CA to Thermal, CA is about 135.8 miles (218.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124 miles (199.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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 02h 33m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Los Angeles and Thermal.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles and Thermal.
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1
Start on West 1st Street
21 m · 10 sec · West 1st Street
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2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1465 ft · 35 sec · North Main Street
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3
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
103 m · 13 sec · East Aliso Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward US 101 South, I 10 East, I 5 South
776 ft · 19 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
1 km · 52 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
1343 ft · 33 sec
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7
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
9.3 mi · 11 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2.1 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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19
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
14.3 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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20
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
40.3 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.5 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
6.3 mi · 7 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Airport Blvd
1454 ft · 44 sec
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24
Turn right onto Airport Boulevard
2543 ft · 55 sec · Airport Boulevard
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25
Turn right onto Palm Street
653 ft · 33 sec · Palm Street
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26
Turn right onto Grapefruit Boulevard
1609 ft · 29 sec · Grapefruit Boulevard
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grapefruit Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Los Angeles and Thermal.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
40.3 mi · 00h 44m
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 Los Angeles and Sunny near Thermal.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Los Angeles to Thermal?
The road trip is about 135.8 miles (218.5 km) and usually takes 02h 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?
Calimesa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.8 miles from Los Angeles and 68 miles from Thermal.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124 miles (199.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 1:24 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.99 one way or $59.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Los Angeles and Sunny near Thermal.
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
San Bernardino County Land Use
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 Los Angeles and Thermal. Straight-line distance: 124.06 mi (199.65 km).
#1 Los Angeles
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
| Population | 3,970,219 |
| Coordinates | 34.0522300, -118.2436800 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thermal
Situated within Riverside County's Coachella Valley near the Salton Sea, this desert community lies at an elevation of approximately 118 feet below sea level.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.6403000, -116.1394500 |
| Altitude | -36 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thermal (-116.13945, 33.6403)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 219 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $29.99 | $59.98 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $31.13 | $62.26 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $32.04 | $64.08 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $40.30 | $80.60 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026