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Trip from Imperial, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Drive Time

3h 58m

Distance

208.2 mi

335 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 46m ★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 51m

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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Downtown Imperial, CA, CA

Imperial, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Downtown los-angeles-ca

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

The drive from Imperial, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 208.2 miles and takes about 3h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on San Bernardino Freeway, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, West Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 45.3 miles on San Bernardino Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.21 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

104.1 miles from Imperial, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Imperial, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 208.2 miles and takes about 3h 58m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Bernardino Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 45.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 166.3 miles in near I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 208.2 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 166.3 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 179 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.9 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
166.3 mi into trip | ~3h 9m in | I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
179 mi into trip | ~3h 23m in | I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
180.9 mi into trip | ~3h 25m in | I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
182.8 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in | I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
207.5 mi into trip | ~3h 56m in

Take the exit toward Alameda Street, Union Station

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 2B Toward Alameda Street, Union Station

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
San Bernardino Freeway 45.3 mi 52m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway 39.9 mi 43m
West Main Street 37.6 mi 44m
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway 32.6 mi 34m
CA 86 32.5 mi 37m
North Imperial Avenue 9.4 mi 11m
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes 9.3 mi 9m
Santa Ana Freeway 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: San Bernardino Freeway — 45.3 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Imperial, CA and Los Angeles, CA.

1

Start on S28

103 ft · 4 sec · East Barioni Boulevard
2

Turn left onto CA 86

9.4 mi · 11 min · North Imperial Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3

Continue on CA 86

0.4 mi · 33 sec · South 1st Street
4

Turn left onto CA 86

38 mi · 44 min · West Main Street
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on CA 86

32 mi · 37 min · CA 86
Use the straight lane.
6

Merge onto I 10

33 mi · 34 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 10

40 mi · 43 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 10

14 mi · 15 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR

9.3 mi · 9 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

0.9 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.6 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.5 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.6 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

12 mi · 14 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Merge onto US 101

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 2B Toward Alameda Street, Union Station Use the slight right lane.
25

Continue on I 10 EXPR

0.2 mi · 32 sec · East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
26

Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street

0.3 mi · 44 sec · North Los Angeles Street
27

Turn right onto East 1st Street

461 ft · 17 sec · East 1st Street
28

Arrive at destination

West 1st Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 104.1 miles from Imperial, CA, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.3 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 104.1 miles or 2h in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 14m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Imperial, 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 Imperial, CA

This is one driving day of about 208.2 miles and 3h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Imperial, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on San Bernardino Freeway for about 45.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 104.1 mi from Imperial, CA · 2h into the drive

Downtown Moreno Valley, CA, CA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Moreno Valley, CA

104 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.

Popular next leg

Moreno Valley, CA to Los Angeles, CA

63.9 mi · 1h 18m

Pacing Suggestions

Menifee, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Menifee, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 104.1 miles from Imperial, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Los Angeles, CA

The final approach into Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, 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.

Joshua Tree National Park

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...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour $30 near mile 79
Caution: Oasis of Mara Trail Partial Closure
Park Closure: Cholla Cactus Garden Trail Closed
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.21 one way

$96.43 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.07 $49.72 $99.44
premium $6.24 $51.17 $102.35
diesel $5.64 $46.25 $92.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 62.5 0 $21.86 $9.99
Efficient EV 52.1 0 $18.22 $8.33
EV Truck/SUV 83.3 1 $29.15 $13.32

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

24 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Imperial, CA

Morning in Imperial on Monday

Local time

7:50 AM

PDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Los Angeles, CA

Morning in Los Angeles on Monday

Local time

7:50 AM

PDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

17 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

3h 58m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Imperial, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 208.2 miles and takes about 3h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Bernardino Freeway, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, West Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 104.1 miles from Imperial, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 208.2 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 166.3 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 179 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.9 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Imperial, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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