If you’ve ever tried planning a trip to Murrieta, you know that figuring out which airport to fly into can be surprisingly tricky. I remember the first time I visited the area—I spent way too long debating whether to fly into LAX, Ontario, or even Palm Springs. Traffic, flight options, and distance all seemed to matter, and I just wanted to get there without a headache.
After a few trips back and forth, I figured out the airports that make traveling to Murrieta smooth and stress-free. In this guide, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about the closest airports, including which ones are easiest to get to and which might save you time (or frustration) on the road.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear idea of your best options, so you can focus on planning your trip instead of worrying about logistics. Let’s dive in and simplify your airport choices near Murrieta.
Key Takeaways
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Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the closest airport to Murrieta, at about 50 miles by road
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Other nearby options include John Wayne (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP), and Los Angeles (LAX)
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While ONT is nearest, traffic and flight availability may influence which airport is best
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Palm Springs often offers a favorable balance of traffic ease and route options
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LAX provides broad flight choices but may incur significant travel time and congestion
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Consider both distance and practical factors (traffic, flights, convenience) when choosing
The list of airports near Murrieta
First things first, we’ll give you a full rundown on what airports you should consider near Murrieta. This list is for those who don’t want to get into the nitty-gritty details of why each airport is a good option over another. The list is ordered by distance (road distance) and we’ve bolded the airports that we think are the best choices.
| Airport Name | IATA | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario International Airport | ONT | 50 miles |
| John Wayne Airport | SNA | 60 miles |
| Palm Springs International Airport | PSP | 70 miles |
| Los Angeles International Airport | LAX | 90 miles |
The closest airport to Murrieta: Ontario International Airport
There are some reasons to choose Ontario International Airport over other airports near Murrieta, California. For one, Ontario International Airport is the closest airport to Murrieta at 50 miles of road distance. This means you can get to and from the airport pretty quickly.
The roads and highways around Ontario International can get pretty busy during rush hour so you should expect increased travel times during these times.
Ontario International Airport is actually among the smaller airports near Murrieta. With big players like LAX and SNA getting most of the traffic in the area, this airport is a perfect choice if you want to fly somewhere less busy.
Unfortunately, less traffic also means, that many people won’t find direct flights from their home airport to Ontario International in Canada. In this case, you should look at our other recommendations for airports nearby.
Ontario International Airport, CA, handles around 4 to 5 million travelers each year. In many US states, this would make the airport a major hub, however, in the Los Angeles area, it’s actually quite a low number.
Some of the busiest routes to ONT include Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Las Vegas, Nevada; Sacramento International Airport, California.
Other airports near Murrieta
There are actually even more great airport choices in Murrieta, California. In addition to the main airport, here are some other great picks.
Palm Springs International Airport
Palm Springs International Airport is one of our favorite picks among the airports near Murrieta. Although this one is the smallest airport out of the four it’s very conveniently located.
The distance from Palm Springs International Airport to Murrieta is 70 miles but you can usually do these 70 miles quicker than you can do the distance from any other airport in the area. Why you might ask? It’s simple, the traffic near Palm Springs is so much better than the traffic closer to Los Angeles.
This is why Palm Springs is our choice whenever we are flying to Murrieta. It has reasonable connections to the rest of the nation. Most airlines fly here from the bigger cities, so it should not be an issue to find a cheap ticket.
You can rent a car at Palm Springs International Airport and easily get to Murrieta. The average drive time from the airport to Murrieta is about an hour, depending on traffic conditions.
John Wayne Airport
John Wayne Airport is another airport you can pick when flying to Murrieta, California. The airport is located in Santa Ana and is a great option if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get to your destination.
This airport is pretty busy, but it’s still smaller and less busy than LAX, so you’ll be able to get in and out much faster. Almost all US cities have a direct flight to SNA so it’s very easy to recommend this airport.
Of course, the downside of flying to SNA is the actual traffic. Santa Ana is busy and it’s especially busy in rush hour type of traffic. The road distance is only 60 miles but expect long travel time due to heavy traffic.
Los Angeles International Airport
There is also the option of Los Angeles International Airport when booking a flight to Murrieta, California. Of course, the legendary LAX has connections to every significant airport in the US and even to many international airports.
When it comes to airports close to Murrieta, Los Angeles International Airport is the furthest away. Although it may take a bit longer to get there, LAX is a great option for its wide range of flights and amenities.
We recommend you look at LAX flights purely to save money. If you manage to find great deals then go for it. If not, then we highly recommend skipping over this airport. Getting out of LAX is usually bad due to heavy traffic. And then you got to get yourself to the other side of the LA area in order to actually reach Murrieta. Not fun.
In short, LAX is, of course, a great airport but unless you have some great deals flying to LAX, do yourself a favor and pick a different airport near Murrieta.
Conclusion
After figuring out the best airports near Murrieta through my own trips, I’ve realized that choosing the right one can make a big difference in your travel experience. I usually lean toward Ontario International for convenience, but sometimes Palm Springs works better depending on flight options and traffic.
I hope this guide helps take some of the guesswork out of your planning. Picking the right airport doesn’t have to be stressful—you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about long drives or delays.
Next time you’re heading to Murrieta, I encourage you to consider both distance and practicality. With the right airport choice, your trip will start off smoother and more relaxed—just the way I like it.
About the Author
William Chase is the travel writer behind GotYourPassport.com, where he makes planning trips simple and enjoyable. He has a passion for exploring new destinations and uncovering practical travel tips across the U.S. Drawing from his own experiences navigating airports and planning trips, William created this guide to help readers find the closest and most convenient airports near Murrieta.
FAQs
Q: What is the closest airport to Murrieta, CA?
The closest airport to Murrieta is Ontario International Airport (ONT), located about 50 miles away.
Q: How far is Ontario International Airport from Murrieta?
Ontario International Airport is approximately a 1-hour drive (50 miles) from Murrieta, depending on traffic.
Q: Which airport is the best option for convenience when flying to Murrieta?
Ontario International Airport is the most convenient choice because of its proximity and manageable traffic compared to larger airports.
Q: Is Palm Springs International Airport a good choice for Murrieta travelers?
Yes, Palm Springs International (about 70 miles away) is a good option if you want a smaller airport experience with less congestion, though it may have fewer flight options.
Q: Why would someone choose LAX when visiting Murrieta?
Travelers may choose Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for its wide range of domestic and international flights, even though it’s farther away (about 90 miles) and often has heavy traffic.