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Trip from Palm Springs, CA to Irvine, CA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 53m

Distance

94.5 mi

152 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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resort city in Riverside County, southern California, United States

Palm Springs, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Orange County, California, United States

Irvine, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 94.5-mile drive from Palm Springs, CA to Irvine, CA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Moreno Valley Freeway, and Riverside Freeway, with about half of your journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this 1-day excursion is around $22. The route offers a mixed driving experience, connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region. It's a straightforward trip that doesn't require an overnight stay, making it convenient for a quick transition between these Southern California locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

47.2 miles from Palm Springs, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway 17.9 mi 19m
Moreno Valley Freeway 16.5 mi 20m
Riverside Freeway 13.4 mi 15m
Eastern Transportation Corridor 12.1 mi 14m
North Palm Canyon Drive 11 mi 14m
CA 91 9.1 mi 10m
Escondido Freeway 3.9 mi 4m
Jamboree Road 3.6 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway — 17.9 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palm Springs, CA and Irvine, CA.

1

Start on East Alejo Road

469 ft · 19 sec · East Alejo Road
2

Turn right onto CA 111 Business

11 mi · 14 min · North Palm Canyon Drive
Use the left lane.
3

Continue on I 10

18 mi · 19 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 13 sec
Exit 93 Toward CA 60 West: Riverside Use the slight left lane.
5

Continue on CA 60

0.5 mi · 33 sec · Moreno Valley Freeway
6

Continue on CA 60

2.0 mi · 2 min · Moreno Valley Expressway
Use the straight lane.
7

Continue on CA 60

16 mi · 20 min · Moreno Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 215; CA 60

3.9 mi · 4 min · Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

1.5 mi · 3 min
Exit 34B Toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto CA 91

13 mi · 15 min · Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 20 sec
Exit 50 Toward Main Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on CA 91

9.1 mi · 10 min · CA 91
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 41B Toward CA 241 South: Irvine Use the slight right lane.
14

Continue on CA 241 Toll

5.7 mi · 6 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 261 Toll

6.4 mi · 7 min · Eastern Transportation Corridor
Toward CA 261 South: Irvine Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on Jamboree Road

3.6 mi · 5 min · Jamboree Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 405 South: San Diego Use the right lane.
18

Merge onto I 405

1.3 mi · 1 min · San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Arrive at destination

I 405

Trip Plan

With a total duration of under two hours, this drive from Palm Springs to Irvine offers plenty of flexibility. Consider departing in the mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush hour, though traffic can vary. Since it's a relatively short trip, you won't need to plan for extensive rest stops, but a quick break might be welcome. Keep an eye on fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $22 for the 94.5 miles. A practical tip for this route is to check real-time traffic conditions before you leave, especially when merging onto the Moreno Valley Freeway and Riverside Freeway, as these can experience significant volume.

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 47.2 miles from Palm Springs, CA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.9 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 21 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 47.2 miles or 56m 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 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Irvine, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Palm Springs, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Palm Springs, CA

This is one driving day of about 94.5 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Palm Springs, 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 17.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat of Riverside County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Riverside, CA

47 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

Banning, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Moreno Valley, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.2 miles from Palm Springs, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Workshop Kitchen & Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Palm Springs, California

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Hours: 5–10 pm

+17604593451

Visit website

Ash & Vine Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palm Springs, California

0.6 mi

Consuelo's Home Style Mexican Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Banning, California

1.6 mi

Workshop Kitchen & Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Palm Springs, California

Hours: 5–10 pm

+17604593451

Visit website

Ash & Vine Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $50 to $10

Palm Springs, California

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+17606997730

Visit website

Consuelo's Home Style Mexican Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Banning, California

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19518493760

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Corona, California

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19512799903

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Beaumont, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Riverside, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Palm Springs, California

+17609045015

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Beaumont, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Riverside, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Palm Springs, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Moreno Valley, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Beaumont, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Palm Springs Art Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Palm Springs, California

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17603224800

Visit website

Ruth Hardy Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Palm Springs, California

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17603238272

Visit website

Robolights

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Palm Springs, California

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17607740318

Visit website

Lucille Ball Statue

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Palm Springs, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

Escape Room Palm Springs

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Palm Springs, California

Hours: 2–7 pm

+17607798888

Visit website

Tahquitz Canyon

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Palm Springs, California

Hours: 7:30 am–3:30 pm

+17604167044

Visit website

Irvine Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Orange, California

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17149736835

Visit website

Intrepid Escape Rooms Orange County

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Tustin, California

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19498850111

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 29 and 83 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
29 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward CA 60 West: Riverside

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 93 Toward CA 60 West: Riverside
8
51.7 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Take the exit toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 34B Toward CA 91 West: Riverside, Beach Cities
7
66.6 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in

Take the exit toward Main Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 50 Toward Main Street
7
76 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward CA 241 South: Irvine

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 41B Toward CA 241 South: Irvine
7
83 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in | CA 261 Toll / Eastern Transportation Corridor

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 261 Toll / Eastern Transportation Corridor toward CA 261 South: Irvine

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CA 261 South: Irvine

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.72 one way

$43.44 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $22.38 $44.76
premium $6.18 $22.98 $45.96
diesel $5.61 $20.86 $41.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.3 0 $9.92 $4.54
Efficient EV 23.6 0 $8.27 $3.78
EV Truck/SUV 37.8 0 $13.23 $6.05

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Palm Springs, CA

Late night in Palm Springs on Tuesday

Local time

2:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Irvine, CA

Late night in Irvine on Tuesday

Local time

2:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

61°F

Riverside, CA

47 mi in

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

15 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 53m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this 94.5-mile route, with 49% of it being on highways. You'll encounter stretches like the 17.9-mile segment on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, which offers a longer, more uninterrupted experience. The journey progresses through a variety of road types, transitioning from potentially more open highway segments to potentially busier freeway conditions as you approach your destination. This blend means you won't be stuck in a monotonous drive, but you should be prepared for changing traffic patterns and road surfaces.

49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.9 mi on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Palm Springs, CA to Irvine, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Beach Cities along the way.

Beach Cities

51.7 mi in | ~1h 1m

About the Cities

Starting in Palm Springs, CA

Full guide →

Palm Springs is a resort city in the California desert. It became a destination during the 1950s and 1960s when Hollywood movie stars flocked there in droves. Nowadays, the area offers entertainment for all ages, although the most common demographics consists of retirees. Palm Springs offers a wealth of indoor and outdoor activities. Known for its hiking, mid-century modern architecture, stunning natural beauty and sparkling pools, Palm Springs has the perfect blend of outdoor activities and casual relaxation. Palm Springs is a favorite for gay travelers, naturist communities, and many other people.

Top landmarks

  • • Palm Springs Art Museum — art museum in Palm Springs, California
  • • Twin Palms — historic house in California, United States
  • • Tahquitz Canyon — canyon located in California

Arriving in Irvine, CA

Full guide →

Founded 1971

Irvine is a city of 308,000 people (2020) in Orange County, California. Irvine is one of the newest and largest cities in Orange County, and it is still growing. The city is a perfectly planned suburbia. The Irvine Company started developing the area in the 1960s and the city was formally incorporated on December 28, 1971.

Top landmarks

  • • Pretend City Children's Museum — children's Museum in California, U.S.

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 53m. Total distance: 94.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (49%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 17.9 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Irvine, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

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 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Irvine, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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