This 72.6-mile drive from Hermosa Beach, CA to Palmdale, CA will take approximately 1 hour and 27 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's perfect for a single day. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, it's an economical option for getting from the Pacific Coast region inland. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways, making for an efficient journey. This route is ideal for a quick excursion or as part of a larger California adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
36.3 miles from Hermosa Beach, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience on this 72.6-mile route, with 86% of the drive occurring on major roadways. You'll encounter stretches like the 29.8-mile segment on the San Diego Freeway, offering a consistent pace. The primary roads include the San Diego Freeway, CA 14 Truck, and Sierra Highway, guiding you efficiently toward your destination. While largely a freeway drive, be aware of potential transitions as you approach Palmdale.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Diego Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 29.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Diego Freeway and CA 14 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 72.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.4 miles (CA 14 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.4 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 405 North: Santa Monica, San Diego Freeway North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica, San Diego Fre...
9
35.9 mi into trip|~44m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
8
37.4 mi into trip|~46m in|CA 14 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14 Truck toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
7
66.9 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward Angeles Forest Highway, Pearblossom Highway
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.
Toward Angeles Forest Highway, Pearblossom High...
8
67.1 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Angeles Forest Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Angeles Forest Highway
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hermosa Beach, CA and Palmdale, CA, road signs point toward San Diego Freeway North, Lancaster, Angeles Forest Highway and Pearblossom Highway.
San Diego Freeway North
4.4 mi in|~7m
Lancaster
37.4 mi in|~46m|via CA 14 Truck
Angeles Forest Highway
66.9 mi in|~1h 20m
Pearblossom Highway
66.9 mi in|~1h 20m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Diego Freeway
29.8 mi
34m
CA 14 Truck
29.5 mi
33m
Sierra Highway
5.4 mi
6m
I 5 Truck
3.1 mi
3m
Aviation Boulevard
2 mi
3m
West Artesia Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Pacific Coast Highway
0.5 mi
<1m
West Rosecrans Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
San Diego Freeway
— 29.8 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hermosa Beach, CA and Palmdale, CA.
1
Start on Palm Drive
45 ft·3 sec·Palm Drive
2
Turn right onto Pier Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Pier Avenue
3
Turn left onto CA 1
0.5 mi·40 sec·Pacific Coast Highway
4
Take the exit
159 ft·4 sec
5
Turn right onto West Artesia Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·West Artesia Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto Aviation Boulevard
2.0 mi·3 min·Aviation Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto West Rosecrans Avenue
0.5 mi·53 sec·West Rosecrans Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward I 405 North: Santa Monica, San Diego Freeway NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 405
30 mi·34 min·San Diego Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5 Truck
1.6 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14 Truck
29 mi·33 min·CA 14 Truck
Toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, LancasterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Angeles Forest Highway, Pearblossom HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
466 ft·11 sec
Toward Angeles Forest HighwayUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
155 ft·6 sec
16
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
1.2 mi·1 min·Sierra Highway
17
Continue on US 6 Hist
4.2 mi·4 min·Sierra Highway
18
Turn right onto CA 138
38 ft·0 sec·East Palmdale Boulevard
19
Arrive at destination
CA 138
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 27-minute drive, flexibility is key. Since it's a relatively short trip with an estimated fuel cost of $17, you can easily depart whenever it suits you. There are no specific stops recommended, so plan for fueling up before you leave Hermosa Beach. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially when merging onto or exiting the San Diego Freeway, as this is your longest uninterrupted stretch at 29.8 miles. This efficient route allows you to maximize your time at your destination.
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 36.3 miles from Hermosa Beach, CA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.8 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 72.6 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.3 miles or 45m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmdale, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hermosa Beach, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hermosa Beach, CA
This is one driving day of about 72.6 miles and 1h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hermosa Beach, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on San Diego Freeway for about 29.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.3 mi from Hermosa Beach, CA
· 45m into the drive
The midpoint is around 36.3 miles from Hermosa Beach, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Palmdale, CA
The final approach into Palmdale, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Palmdale, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.69 one way
$33.37 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$17.20
$34.39
premium
$6.18
$17.66
$35.31
diesel
$5.61
$16.03
$32.06
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: 25.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.8
0
$7.62
$3.48
Efficient EV
18.2
0
$6.35
$2.90
EV Truck/SUV
29
0
$10.16
$4.65
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 data refreshed 2 hours ago
Origin
Hermosa Beach, CA
Evening
in Hermosa Beach on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
WSW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 2:09PM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 2:09PM PDT until April 16 at 7:00AM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Destination
Palmdale, CA
Evening
in Palmdale on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
WSW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 2:09PM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 2:09PM PDT until April 16 at 7:00AM PDT by NWS Reno NV
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 27m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hermosa Beach, CA to Palmdale, CA covers 72.6 miles and takes about 1h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Diego Freeway, CA 14 Truck, Sierra Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.3 miles from Hermosa Beach, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.69 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 72.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.4 miles (CA 14 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hermosa Beach, CA and Palmdale, CA, road signs point toward San Diego Freeway North, Lancaster, Angeles Forest Highway and Pearblossom Highway.
