How far is Santa Ana, CA from Big Bear Lake, CA?
The driving distance from Santa Ana, CA to Big Bear Lake, CA is about 88.6 miles (142.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.7 miles (104.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 11m 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 05m.
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.
City in San Bernardino County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Santa Ana and Big Bear Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Ana and Big Bear Lake.
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1
Start on West 1st Street
79 m · 11 sec · West 1st Street
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2
Continue on West 1st Street
1.6 km · 2 min · West 1st Street
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3
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
977 ft · 23 sec · Grand Avenue
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4
Turn right onto East 4th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East 4th Street
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5
Continue on Irvine Boulevard
124 m · 13 sec · Irvine Boulevard
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6
Turn left onto CA 55 North
1420 ft · 23 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Costa Mesa Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Costa Mesa Freeway
5.3 mi · 6 min · Costa Mesa Freeway
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9
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
36.9 mi · 43 min · Riverside Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East: Redlands
1.1 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CA 210 West: Highland, Big Bear
1.2 km · 52 sec
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13
Continue on Foothill Freeway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Foothill Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CA 330 North: Big Bear
2035 ft · 27 sec
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15
Continue on Steve Faris Memorial Highway
15 mi · 26 min · Steve Faris Memorial Highway
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16
Continue on Hilltop Boulevard
2.2 mi · 4 min · Hilltop Boulevard
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17
Continue on Rim of the World Highway
10.2 mi · 19 min · Rim of the World Highway
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18
Continue on Big Bear Bridge
153 m · 8 sec · Big Bear Bridge
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19
Continue on Big Bear Boulevard
3.9 mi · 7 min · Big Bear Boulevard
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20
Continue on Big Bear Boulevard
2233 ft · 1 min · Big Bear Boulevard
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21
Turn left onto Pine Knot Avenue
24 m · 3 sec · Pine Knot Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pine Knot Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Santa Ana and Big Bear Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Riverside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
36.9 mi · 00h 43m
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 Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near Big Bear Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Santa Ana to Big Bear Lake?
The road trip is about 88.6 miles (142.6 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?
Grand Terrace is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.3 miles from Santa Ana and 44.3 miles from Big Bear Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.7 miles (104.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 2:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.06 one way or $36.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Santa Ana and Mostly Sunny near Big Bear Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Grand Terrace
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall
San Bernardino County Land Use
Cucamonga Sign Shop LLC
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Grand Terrace.
Riverside–Downtown
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Moreno Valley, California
Perris, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Santa Ana and Big Bear Lake. Straight-line distance: 64.71 mi (104.14 km).
#1 Santa Ana
The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.
| Population | 331,301 |
| Coordinates | 33.7455700, -117.8678300 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Big Bear Lake
Small city in San Bernardino County, California
| Population | 5,338 |
| Coordinates | 34.2439000, -116.9114200 |
| Altitude | 2058 |
| Country | United States |
End: Big Bear Lake (-116.91142, 34.2439)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 143 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $18.06 | $36.11 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $18.99 | $37.97 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $19.54 | $39.08 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $23.68 | $47.37 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.