How far is San Diego, CA from Running Springs, CA?
The driving distance from San Diego, CA to Running Springs, CA is about 128.6 miles (206.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103.1 miles (166 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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 36m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Diego and Running Springs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Diego and Running Springs.
-
1
Start on Front Street
8 m · 6 sec · Front Street
-
2
Turn left onto West Broadway
3088 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
-
3
Turn left onto 11th Avenue
1146 ft · 25 sec · 11th Avenue
-
4
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Cabrillo Parkway
-
5
Continue on Cabrillo Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Cabrillo Freeway
-
6
Keep slight left
2688 ft · 35 sec
-
7
Continue on Semper Fi Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Semper Fi Highway
-
8
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
-
9
Continue on Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
4.6 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
-
10
Continue on Escondido Freeway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Escondido Freeway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Escondido Freeway
6.9 mi · 8 min · Escondido Freeway
-
12
Continue on Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 23 min · Avocado Highway
-
13
Continue on Escondido Freeway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Escondido Freeway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 215
1510 ft · 18 sec
-
15
Continue on Escondido Freeway
34.5 mi · 40 min · Escondido Freeway
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on I 215 North: San Bernardino, Barstow
2413 ft · 51 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Riverside Freeway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East: Redlands
1.1 km · 1 min
-
19
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward CA 210 West: Highland, Big Bear
1.2 km · 52 sec
-
21
Continue on Foothill Freeway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Foothill Freeway
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward CA 330 North: Big Bear
2035 ft · 27 sec
-
23
Continue on Steve Faris Memorial Highway
14.8 mi · 25 min · Steve Faris Memorial Highway
-
24
Turn slight right onto Running Springs
604 ft · 29 sec
-
25
At the end of the road, turn sharp left onto Hilltop Drive
815 ft · 17 sec · Hilltop Drive
-
26
Continue on Hilltop Boulevard
122 m · 11 sec · Hilltop Boulevard
-
27
Turn right onto Wagon Wheel Drive
24 m · 3 sec · Wagon Wheel Drive
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wagon Wheel Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Diego and Running Springs.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Escondido Freeway
Continue on Escondido Freeway
34.5 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving San Diego and Sunny near Running Springs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Running Springs?
The road trip is about 128.6 miles (206.9 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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 64.4 miles from San Diego and 64.2 miles from Running Springs.
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 25.5 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 1:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.19 one way or $52.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Diego and Sunny near Running Springs.
Stop Ideas Near Murrieta Hot Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Rodeway Inn & Suites Canyon Lake I-15
Rotary Park
City of Wildomar
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside - Southwest Justice Center
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 San Diego and Running Springs. Straight-line distance: 103.14 mi (165.99 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Running Springs
Census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California
| Population | 4,862 |
| Coordinates | 34.2077900, -117.1092000 |
| Altitude | 1862 |
| Country | United States |
End: Running Springs (-117.1092, 34.20779)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 207 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 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 | $26.19 | $52.38 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $27.54 | $55.08 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $28.34 | $56.69 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $34.35 | $68.71 |
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.