How far is Running Springs, CA from Santa Ana, CA?

The driving distance from Running Springs, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 72.2 miles (116.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 53.9 miles (86.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
72.18 mi
01h 30m
Flight
53.94 mi
86.8 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Running Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
53.94 mi
Kilometers
86.8 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.18 mi
Kilometers
116.16 km
Drive Time
01h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Santa Ana
Mon, May 4, 6:48 AM PDT
Return by in Running Springs
Mon, May 4, 8:18 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Running Springs
2026-05-04T05:18
Arrive Santa Ana
Mon, May 4, 6:48 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:30 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Running Springs
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Riverside
CA

The most populous city in Riverside County, California and the center of the Riverside metropolitan area.

From Running Springs
36.8 mi
00h 45m
To Santa Ana
35.3 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Monday

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
69°F
Monday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Running Springs and Santa Ana.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Running Springs and Santa Ana.

  1. 1

    Start on Wagon Wheel Drive

    24 m · 8 sec · Wagon Wheel Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Hilltop Boulevard

    122 m · 10 sec · Hilltop Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on Hilltop Drive

    1781 ft · 52 sec · Hilltop Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Hilltop Boulevard

    548 ft · 13 sec · Hilltop Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue on Steve Faris Memorial Highway

    14.8 mi · 26 min · Steve Faris Memorial Highway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on CA 210 West: Pasadena

    3034 ft · 40 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway

    5.1 mi · 6 min · Foothill Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 215 South: Riverside

    2084 ft · 51 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    1.4 mi · 1 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 215 South

    2132 ft · 52 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway

    4.2 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on Riverside Freeway

    5.3 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue on Riverside Freeway

    14.8 mi · 17 min · Riverside Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Main Street

    1526 ft · 20 sec

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    16.7 mi · 19 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway

    6.9 mi · 8 min · Costa Mesa Freeway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Fourth Street, Irvine Boulevard

    1565 ft · 36 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East 4th Street

    1 km · 1 min · East 4th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Mabury Street

    912 ft · 22 sec · Mabury Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto East 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Running Springs and Santa Ana.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Riverside Freeway
20.1 mi · 28%
Main Street
16.9 mi · 23%
Steve Faris Memorial Highway
14.8 mi · 21%
Costa Mesa Freeway
6.86 mi · 9%
Foothill Freeway
5.07 mi · 7%
San Bernardino Freeway
4.21 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Main Street

Continue straight

16.7 mi · 00h 19m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.3 mi
53.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Riverside
00h 45m from Running Springs
Leave By
3:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Running Springs and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Santa Ana.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Running Springs to Santa Ana?

The road trip is about 72.2 miles (116.2 km) and usually takes 01h 30m 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 36.8 miles from Running Springs and 35.3 miles from Santa Ana.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 53.9 miles (86.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.3 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 3:30 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.71 one way or $29.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Running Springs and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Santa Ana.

Stop Ideas Near Riverside

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Riverside and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 10.4 mi away

City Hall

Rialto , CA
100-198 S Palm Ave, Rialto, CA 92376, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Parking lot
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 10.5 mi away

Loma Linda City Hall

Loma Linda , CA
25541 Barton Rd, Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States
Rating 5.0/5 3 reviews City government office,City or town hall
Cucamonga Sign Shop LLC
Nearby stop 14.1 mi away

Cucamonga Sign Shop LLC

Rancho Cucamonga , CA
9259 Utica Ave Ste 110, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Rating 5.0/5 6 reviews Safety equipment supplier,Aluminum supplier,Banner store,Design agency,Sign shop

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Riverside.

RAIL

Riverside–Downtown

4 mi away
4066 Vine St.
BUS

Moreno Valley, California

11 mi away
2650 East Alessandro Blvd.
RAIL

San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot

19 mi away
1170 West Third Street (all Trains and Buses)
BUS

Perris, California

24 mi away
1688-J North Perris Blvd

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Running Springs and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 53.94 mi (86.8 km).

Running Springs

#1 Running Springs

Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California

Population4,862
Coordinates34.2077900, -117.1092000
Altitude1862
CountryUnited States
Santa Ana

#2 Santa Ana

The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.

Population331,301
Coordinates33.7455700, -117.8678300
Altitude35
CountryUnited States
Start: Wagon Wheel Drive (-117.109293, 34.207826)
End: West 1st Street (-117.86783, 33.745553)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 116 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.55 gal
9.64 L · about $14.71
Round trip
$29.42
5.1 gal · 19.28 L
Estimated CO2
22.7 kg one way
Round trip: 45.3 kg / 100 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $14.71 $29.42
Mid-grade $6.07 $15.47 $30.94
Premium $6.24 $15.92 $31.84
Diesel $7.57 $19.30 $38.59

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 · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Running Springs and Santa Ana. The current time is 05:18:25.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.