Origin
La Quinta, CA
Late night in La Quinta on Sunday
Local time
4:32 AM
PDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Quinta, CA to San Bernardino, CA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
75.7 mi
122 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Quinta, CA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a quick trip from La Quinta, CA to San Bernardino, CA? This 75.7-mile drive should take you about 1 hour and 32 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip. You'll primarily be on roads like Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway and Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway, with about a third of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $17. Given its relatively short distance and duration, this route offers a straightforward connection within the Pacific Coast region without the need for an overnight stop. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.8 miles from La Quinta, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 38.1 mi | 41m |
| Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway | 25.3 mi | 27m |
| Washington Street | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| South Waterman Avenue | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Eisenhower Drive | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| East 5th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Hospitality Lane | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Varner Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 38.1 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Quinta, CA and San Bernardino, CA.
1
Start on Calle Chihuahua
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Calle Chihuahua
2
Turn left onto Eisenhower Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Eisenhower Drive
3
Enter roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
Eisenhower Drive
4
Continue on Eisenhower Drive
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Eisenhower Drive
5
Enter roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
143 ft
·
4 sec
·
Eisenhower Drive
6
Continue on Eisenhower Drive
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Eisenhower Drive
7
Enter roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
107 ft
·
3 sec
·
Eisenhower Drive
8
Continue on Eisenhower Drive
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Eisenhower Drive
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto Washington Street
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Washington Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Turn left onto Varner Road
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Varner Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 10 West
12
Merge onto I 10
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
41 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 73
Toward Waterman Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto East Hospitality Lane
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Hospitality Lane
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn right onto South Waterman Avenue
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
South Waterman Avenue
17
Turn left onto East 5th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 5th Street
18
Arrive at destination
West 5th Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 32-minute drive, flexibility is your best friend. Consider departing in the mid-morning or early afternoon to potentially avoid the heaviest commuter traffic. Since the total distance is just 75.7 miles and there are no designated stops in the data, you can easily adjust your schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out, as the estimated cost is $17. A practical tip: be aware of the transition points between the main highways and local roads, as these can sometimes involve changes in speed limits and traffic patterns.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.8 miles from La Quinta, CA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.8 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Bernardino, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving La Quinta, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from La Quinta, CA
This is one driving day of about 75.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from La Quinta, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 38.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.8 miles from La Quinta, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 71.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Eisenhower Drive
Enter roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Eisenhower Drive
Enter roundabout onto Eisenhower Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
7.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 West
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 10 West
5
8.1 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 10 / Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward Waterman Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 73
Toward Waterman Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.40 one way
$34.80 round trip
$5.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $17.93 | $35.86 |
| premium | $6.18 | $18.41 | $36.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.71 | $33.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.95 | $3.63 |
| Efficient EV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.62 | $3.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.3 | 0 | $10.60 | $4.84 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
San Bernardino, CA
Late night in San Bernardino on Sunday
Local time
4:32 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
NE 0 to 20 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:33PM PDT until April 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:33PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
28 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 32m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Joshua Tree National Park
National Park
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
$30
near mile 7.8
Caution: Oasis of Mara Trail Partial Closure
Park Closure: Cholla Cactus Garden Trail Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed experience, with 33% of the route utilizing highways for faster travel. You'll encounter stretches like the 38.1-mile segment on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, which offers a more continuous pace. Expect a blend of freeway driving and potentially some local road navigation as you move between communities. The character of the road changes as you progress, shifting from potentially more open highway segments to routes that may pass through more developed areas. It's not a monotonous journey, but rather a varied drive that keeps you engaged.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.1 mi on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near Eisenhower Drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (Eisenhower Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.1 miles (Eisenhower Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.9 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
About the Cities
Starting in La Quinta, CA
Full guide →La Quinta is a city in Riverside County in Southern California. It is a desert resort city about 30 minutes southeast of Palm Springs. La Quinta is one of the nation's leading golf destinations, having 28 golf courses within the city limits. Tourism is centered primarily on golf, hiking in the surrounding mountains, relaxing at the historic La Quinta Resort, and shopping and dining in the Village.
Arriving in San Bernardino, CA
Full guide →Founded 1854
San Bernardino is a city in the Inland Empire in California. It is the site of the first McDonald Brothers Hamburger Stand
Top landmarks
- • San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot — railway station in San Bernardino, the United States of America
- • California Theatre of the Performing Arts — theater and performing arts center in San Bernardino, California
- • San Bernardino County Court House — courthouse in San Bernardino, United States of America
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 75.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.1 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (Eisenhower Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.1 miles (Eisenhower Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.9 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Yes — Joshua Tree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Bernardino, CA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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