How far is Ridgecrest, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance from Ridgecrest, CA to Irvine, CA is about 165.5 miles (266.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.2 miles (217.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 53m 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 56m.
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 San Bernardino County, California
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 Ridgecrest and Irvine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgecrest and Irvine.
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1
Start on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
82 m · 13 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto South China Lake Boulevard
6 mi · 9 min · South China Lake Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
16.2 mi · 19 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on Red Mountain Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Red Mountain Road
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5
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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6
Take the exit straight toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
1.1 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Barstow and Mojave Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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8
Continue on CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.6 mi · 6 min · CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Barstow and Mojave Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Barstow and Mojave Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight left
18.3 mi · 20 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Ontario Freeway
2066 ft · 27 sec · Ontario Freeway
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12
Continue on Corona Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Corona Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Limonite Avenue
1819 ft · 48 sec
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14
Turn right onto Limonite Avenue
2393 ft · 50 sec · Limonite Avenue
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15
Turn left onto Hamner Avenue
2.6 mi · 5 min · Hamner Avenue
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16
Turn left onto 6th Street
108 m · 14 sec · 6th Street
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17
Take the ramp right toward I 15 South: San Diego
1646 ft · 42 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Corona Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Corona Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 West: Beach Cities
3092 ft · 48 sec
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20
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 11 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 241 South: Irvine
1.2 mi · 1 min
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22
Continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
5.7 mi · 7 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Eastern Transportation Corridor
6.4 mi · 7 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
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24
Continue on Jamboree Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Jamboree Road
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25
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: San Diego
946 ft · 15 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto San Diego Freeway
1.3 mi · 1 min · San Diego Freeway
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · San Diego Freeway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ridgecrest 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.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 01h 21m
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 Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest to Irvine?
The road trip is about 165.5 miles (266.3 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Adelanto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.3 miles from Ridgecrest and 84.2 miles from Irvine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.2 miles (217.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.3 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 12:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.69 one way or $67.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ridgecrest and Mostly Sunny near Irvine.
Stop Ideas Near Adelanto
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Adelanto.
Victor Valley Transportation Center
Victorville, CA
Barstow Harvey House
Barstow (Bus), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ridgecrest and Irvine. Straight-line distance: 135.22 mi (217.61 km).
#1 Ridgecrest
City in California
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 35.6224600, -117.6709000 |
| Altitude | 698 |
| 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: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $33.69 | $67.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $35.43 | $70.85 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $36.46 | $72.92 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $44.19 | $88.38 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.