How far is San Bernardino, CA from Big Bear City, CA?

The driving distance from San Bernardino, CA to Big Bear City, CA is about 43.6 miles (70.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 37m 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
43.54 mi
01h 18m
Flight
27.53 mi
44.3 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Bernardino.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.53 mi
Kilometers
44.3 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.54 mi
Kilometers
70.07 km
Drive Time
01h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Big Bear City
Sun, Apr 19, 9:34 AM PDT
Return by in San Bernardino
Sun, Apr 19, 10:52 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Bernardino
2026-04-19T08:15
Arrive Big Bear City
Sun, Apr 19, 9:34 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM PDT

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

Leave by
3:52 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Bernardino
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Running Springs
CA

Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California

From San Bernardino
21.7 mi
00h 39m
To Big Bear City
21.7 mi
00h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph S
Destination
64°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Bernardino and Big Bear City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Bernardino and Big Bear City.

  1. 1

    Start on West 5th Street

    716 ft · 22 sec · West 5th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Mountain View Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Mountain View Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Baseline Street

    2.1 mi · 3 min · West Baseline Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Base Line Street

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Base Line Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward CA 210 West: San Bernardino

    1284 ft · 21 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Foothill Freeway

    554 ft · 7 sec · Foothill Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward CA 330 North: Big Bear

    2035 ft · 27 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Steve Faris Memorial Highway

    15 mi · 26 min · Steve Faris Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Hilltop Boulevard

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Hilltop Boulevard

  10. 10

    Continue on Rim of the World Highway

    10.2 mi · 19 min · Rim of the World Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Big Bear Bridge

    153 m · 8 sec · Big Bear Bridge

  12. 12

    Continue on Big Bear Boulevard

    3.9 mi · 7 min · Big Bear Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on Big Bear Boulevard

    5.3 mi · 11 min · Big Bear Boulevard

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Big Bear Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Bernardino and Big Bear City.

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
14 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Steve Faris Memorial Highway
15 mi · 34%
Rim of the World Highway
10.2 mi · 24%
Big Bear Boulevard
9.19 mi · 21%
Base Line Street
2.92 mi · 7%
Hilltop Boulevard
2.21 mi · 5%
West Baseline Street
2.1 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Steve Faris Memorial Highway

Continue on Steve Faris Memorial Highway

15 mi · 00h 26m

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 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.1 mi
27.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Running Springs
00h 39m from San Bernardino
Leave By
3:52 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving San Bernardino and Mostly Sunny near Big Bear City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Bernardino to Big Bear City?

The road trip is about 43.6 miles (70.1 km) and usually takes 01h 18m 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?

Running Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.7 miles from San Bernardino and 21.7 miles from Big Bear City.

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

The direct path is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 3:52 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.88 one way or $17.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Bernardino and Mostly Sunny near Big Bear City.

Stop Ideas Near Running Springs

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 Running Springs and the surrounding midpoint area.
Bear Springs Hotel
Food stop 7 mi away

Bear Springs Hotel

Highland , CA
27959 Highland Ave, Highland, CA 92346, United States
Rating 4.6/5 543 reviews Hotel,Restaurant
Calimesa Inn Motel
Stay option 14.9 mi away

Calimesa Inn Motel

Calimesa , CA
1205 Calimesa Blvd, Calimesa, CA 92320, United States
Rating 3.8/5 332 reviews Motel
San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk Main Office
Meeting point 14.1 mi away

San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk Main Office

San Bernardino , CA
222 W Hospitality Ln, San Bernardino, CA 92415, United States
Rating 3.9/5 101 reviews City government office,County government office,Government office
City Of Loma Linda Civic Center
Nearby stop 13.5 mi away

City Of Loma Linda Civic Center

Loma Linda , CA
25541 Barton Frontage Rd, Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States
Rating 4.4/5 17 reviews Business center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Running Springs.

RAIL

San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot

22 mi away
1170 West Third Street (all Trains and Buses)
RAIL

Riverside–Downtown

35 mi away
4066 Vine St.
BUS

Moreno Valley, California

36 mi away
2650 East Alessandro Blvd.
BUS

Victorville, CA

40 mi away
16838 South D Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Bernardino and Big Bear City. Straight-line distance: 27.53 mi (44.3 km).

San Bernardino

#1 San Bernardino

The second most populous city in San Bernardino County, California.

Population217,491
Coordinates34.1083400, -117.2897700
Altitude321
CountryUnited States
Big Bear City

#2 Big Bear City

Census designated place

Population12,304
Coordinates34.2611200, -116.8450300
Altitude2064
CountryUnited States
Start: San Bernardino (-117.28977, 34.10834)
End: Big Bear City (-116.84503, 34.26112)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 70 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.54 gal
5.82 L · about $8.88
Round trip
$17.77
3.08 gal · 11.64 L
Estimated CO2
13.7 kg one way
Round trip: 27.4 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $8.88 $17.77
Mid-grade $6.07 $9.34 $18.68
Premium $6.24 $9.61 $19.23
Diesel $7.57 $11.65 $23.31

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

There is no time difference between San Bernardino and Big Bear City. The current time is 08:15:20.

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.