How far is South El Monte, CA from San Bernardino, CA?
The driving distance from South El Monte, CA to San Bernardino, CA is about 49 miles (78.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.5 miles (70 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 05m 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 01h 02m.
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.
A city in San Bernardino 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 South El Monte and San Bernardino.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South El Monte and San Bernardino.
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1
Start on Rush Street
1299 ft · 39 sec · Rush Street
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2
Turn left onto Santa Anita Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Santa Anita Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Asher Street
39 m · 2 sec · Asher Street
-
4
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 East: San Bernardino Freeway, San Bernadino
819 ft · 20 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2.1 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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16
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
14.3 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 215: Riverside, San Bernardino, Barstow
952 ft · 23 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 215 North: San Bernardino, Barstow
1.5 km · 2 min
-
19
Merge slight left onto San Bernardino Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward 5th Street, Civic Center
1510 ft · 42 sec
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21
Turn right onto West 5th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West 5th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South El Monte and San Bernardino.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
San Bernardino Freeway
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
14.3 mi · 00h 16m
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 South El Monte and Mostly Sunny near San Bernardino.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South El Monte to San Bernardino?
The road trip is about 49 miles (78.9 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?
Upland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.5 miles from South El Monte and 24.5 miles from San Bernardino.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.5 miles (70 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 4:24 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.98 one way or $19.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South El Monte and Mostly Sunny near San Bernardino.
Stop Ideas Near Upland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Your Home Away From Home
Ayres Hotel Chino Hills
Chino City Hall
Jurupa Valley City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Upland.
Ontario
Claremont, California
Pomona station
Riverside–Downtown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South El Monte and San Bernardino. Straight-line distance: 43.5 mi (70 km).
#1 South El Monte
City in Los Angeles County, California, United States
| Population | 21,126 |
| Coordinates | 34.0519500, -118.0467300 |
| Altitude | 76 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Bernardino
The second most populous city in San Bernardino County, California.
| Population | 217,491 |
| Coordinates | 34.1083400, -117.2897700 |
| Altitude | 321 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 5th Street (-117.289794, 34.108326)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 79 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $9.98 | $19.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $10.49 | $20.99 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $10.80 | $21.60 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $13.09 | $26.18 |
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.