How far is Thermal, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Thermal, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 136.4 miles (219.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124 miles (199.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 52m 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 26m.
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.
City in Riverside County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thermal and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thermal and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on Grapefruit Boulevard
1609 ft · 36 sec · Grapefruit Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Palm Street
653 ft · 36 sec · Palm Street
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3
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
1.1 km · 1 min · Airport Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp right toward CA 86 N: CA 86 N
896 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left
6.6 mi · 8 min
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6
Merge slight right onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.6 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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7
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
39.9 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9.3 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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10
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
12.4 mi · 14 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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23
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2349 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Alameda Street, Union Station
798 ft · 19 sec
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25
Continue on East Arcadia Street
988 ft · 32 sec · East Arcadia Street
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26
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
1696 ft · 45 sec · North Los Angeles Street
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27
Turn right onto East 1st Street
141 m · 18 sec · East 1st Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thermal and Los Angeles.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
39.9 mi · 00h 44m
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 Thermal and Sunny near Los Angeles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thermal to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 136.4 miles (219.5 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?
Calimesa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68 miles from Thermal and 68.4 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124 miles (199.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 1:38 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.12 one way or $60.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thermal and Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Calimesa
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Khyra Beaucrest Ranch
Bear Springs Hotel
Hampton Inn & Suites Banning-Beaumont
San Bernardino County Land Use
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Calimesa.
Moreno Valley, California
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Cabazon, CA
Perris, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thermal and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 124.06 mi (199.65 km).
#1 Thermal
Situated within Riverside County's Coachella Valley near the Salton Sea, this desert community lies at an elevation of approximately 118 feet below sea level.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.6403000, -116.1394500 |
| Altitude | -36 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Los Angeles
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
| Population | 3,970,219 |
| Coordinates | 34.0522300, -118.2436800 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 1st Street (-118.24357, 34.05234)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 220 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $6.26 | $30.12 | $60.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.50 | $31.26 | $62.52 |
| Premium | $6.69 | $32.17 | $64.35 |
| Diesel | $8.41 | $40.47 | $80.93 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026