How far is Running Springs, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Running Springs, CA to San Diego, CA is about 129.2 miles (208 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103.1 miles (166 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 50m 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 25m.
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.
Census-designated place in Riverside County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Running Springs and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Running Springs and San Diego.
-
1
Start on Wagon Wheel Drive
24 m · 8 sec · Wagon Wheel Drive
-
2
Turn left onto Hilltop Boulevard
122 m · 10 sec · Hilltop Boulevard
-
3
Continue on Hilltop Drive
1781 ft · 52 sec · Hilltop Drive
-
4
Turn left onto Hilltop Boulevard
548 ft · 13 sec · Hilltop Boulevard
-
5
Continue on Steve Faris Memorial Highway
14.8 mi · 26 min · Steve Faris Memorial Highway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on CA 210 West: Pasadena
3034 ft · 40 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Foothill Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 215 South: Riverside
2084 ft · 51 sec
-
9
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 1 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 215 South
2132 ft · 52 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway
-
12
Continue on Riverside Freeway
5.3 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indio
5.1 mi · 6 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on I 215, CA 60 Truck
2512 ft · 33 sec
-
15
Keep slight right
36.3 mi · 41 min
-
16
Continue on Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 24 min · Avocado Highway
-
17
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on Escondido Freeway
8.7 mi · 10 min · Escondido Freeway
-
19
Continue on Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
-
20
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
-
21
Continue on Semper Fi Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Semper Fi Highway
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward CA 163 South
1.2 km · 52 sec
-
23
Continue on Cabrillo Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Cabrillo Freeway
-
24
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Cabrillo Parkway
-
25
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
1.3 km · 1 min · Cabrillo Parkway
-
26
Continue on 10th Avenue
1507 ft · 42 sec · 10th Avenue
-
27
Turn right onto Broadway
2811 ft · 1 min · Broadway
-
28
Turn left onto Front Street
8 m · 1 sec · Front Street
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Running Springs and San Diego.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 215
Keep slight right
36.3 mi · 00h 41m
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 Running Springs and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Running Springs to San Diego?
The road trip is about 129.2 miles (208 km) and usually takes 02h 25m 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?
Murrieta Hot Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.4 miles from Running Springs and 63.9 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 103.1 miles (166 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.1 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 1:40 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.31 one way or $52.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Running Springs and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Murrieta Hot Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Hampton Inn & Suites Hemet
Rotary Park
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside - Southwest Justice Center
Perris City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Murrieta Hot Springs.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Running Springs and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 103.14 mi (165.99 km).
#1 Running Springs
Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California
| Population | 4,862 |
| Coordinates | 34.2077900, -117.1092000 |
| Altitude | 1862 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Diego
The eighth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Diego metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,422,420 |
| Coordinates | 32.7157100, -117.1647200 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
End: Front Street (-117.164717, 32.71571)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 208 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $26.31 | $52.61 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $27.66 | $55.32 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $28.47 | $56.94 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $34.51 | $69.01 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.