How far is Thousand Palms, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance from Thousand Palms, CA to San Diego, CA is about 132.4 miles (213.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.4 miles (142.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m 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.
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.
Census-designated place in Riverside County, California
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 Thousand Palms and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thousand Palms and San Diego.
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1
Start on Arbol Real Avenue
1288 ft · 46 sec · Arbol Real Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Ramon Road
689 ft · 24 sec · Ramon Road
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3
Turn right onto Monterey Avenue
3235 ft · 54 sec · Monterey Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I-10: WEST
2232 ft · 27 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
19.3 mi · 21 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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6
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
17 mi · 18 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CA 79: Beaumont Avenue
1293 ft · 40 sec
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8
Turn left onto Beaumont Avenue
2149 ft · 42 sec · Beaumont Avenue
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9
Continue on Lamb Canyon Road
5.6 mi · 7 min · Lamb Canyon Road
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10
Continue on Sanderson Avenue
9.6 mi · 15 min · Sanderson Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Domenigoni Parkway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Domenigoni Parkway
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12
Turn left onto Winchester Road
13.4 mi · 19 min · Winchester Road
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 15 South, CA 79 South: San Diego
1573 ft · 33 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Escondido Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Escondido Freeway
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15
Continue on Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 24 min · Avocado Highway
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16
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Escondido Freeway
8.7 mi · 10 min · Escondido Freeway
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18
Continue on Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
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19
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
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20
Continue on Semper Fi Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Semper Fi Highway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward CA 163 South
1.2 km · 52 sec
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22
Continue on Cabrillo Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Cabrillo Freeway
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23
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Cabrillo Parkway
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24
Continue on Cabrillo Parkway
1.3 km · 1 min · Cabrillo Parkway
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25
Continue on 10th Avenue
1507 ft · 42 sec · 10th Avenue
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26
Turn right onto Broadway
2811 ft · 1 min · Broadway
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27
Turn left onto Front Street
8 m · 1 sec · Front Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thousand Palms and San Diego.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Avocado Highway
Continue on Avocado Highway
21.9 mi · 00h 24m
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 Thousand Palms and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thousand Palms to San Diego?
The road trip is about 132.4 miles (213.1 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 66.4 miles from Thousand Palms and 66.1 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.4 miles (142.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 44 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 1:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.94 one way or $53.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Thousand Palms and Mostly Sunny near San Diego.
Stop Ideas Near Murrieta Hot Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Best Western Plus Diamond Valley Inn
Summerly Community Park - City of Lake Elsinore
H&R Block
City of Lake Elsinore
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 Thousand Palms and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 88.45 mi (142.34 km).
#1 Thousand Palms
Town
| Population | 7,715 |
| Coordinates | 33.8200200, -116.3902900 |
| Altitude | 75 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Front Street (-117.164717, 32.71571)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 213 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $26.94 | $53.88 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $28.33 | $56.66 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $29.15 | $58.31 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $35.34 | $70.68 |
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.