Trip from Lone Pine, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Drive Time

4h 3m

Distance

209 mi

336 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 51m ★

6 AM

4h 4m

8 AM

4h 30m

10 AM

4h 13m

12 PM

4h 10m

3 PM

4h 14m

5 PM

4h 28m

8 PM

3h 56m

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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Lone Pine, CA

Thomas K

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Driving from Lone Pine to Los Angeles covers 209 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 3 minutes. This route serves as a perfect one-day trip, allowing you to transition from the Eastern Sierra region down into the heart of the Pacific Coast. You will navigate via the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, the Antelope Valley Freeway, and the Aerospace Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, the journey is quite budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. Whether you are heading back to the city or exploring the region, this drive provides a straightforward connection between two distinct California landscapes. It is a manageable distance that does not require an overnight stay, keeping your travel plans simple and efficient.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

104.5 miles from Lone Pine, CA

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

Drive Character

This trip features a mixed drive profile that keeps the experience varied behind the wheel. You will spend roughly 35% of your time on highways, balancing open stretches with more localized road navigation. The longest uninterrupted portion of the journey spans 56.1 miles along the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, which provides a steady rhythm before the route transitions toward the city. As you move from the mountain-adjacent areas toward the Los Angeles basin, the road character shifts from regional thoroughfares to busier freeway corridors. Expect a blend of high-speed cruising and standard roadway driving that reflects the shifting terrain as you approach your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Grand Army of the Republic Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 56.1 miles.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

3,731 ft 285 ft

Total Climb

989 ft

Total Descent

4,436 ft

Highest Point

3,731 ft

Elevation Range

3,447 ft

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 186.2 miles in near I 5 Truck.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 209 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 186.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

186.2 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in | I 5 Truck

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 158 Toward I 405 South

191.8 mi into trip | ~3h 40m in

Take the exit toward CA 170 South: Hollywood

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 153B Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood

208.5 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in

Take the exit toward Broadway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2C Toward Broadway

208.7 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in | North Spring Street

Turn right onto North Spring Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

208.9 mi into trip | ~4h 3m in | West 1st Street

Turn left onto West 1st Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Grand Army of the Republic Highway	56.1 mi	1h 4m
Antelope Valley Freeway	49.1 mi	54m
Aerospace Highway	42.1 mi	47m
Midland Trail	22 mi	25m
Hollywood Freeway	16.2 mi	20m
Blue Star Memorial Highway	7 mi	8m
I 5 Truck	5.6 mi	6m
Sierra Highway	4.7 mi	6m

Longest stretch: Grand Army of the Republic Highway — 56.1 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on North Washington Street

78 ft · 10 sec · North Washington Street

Turn left onto West Bush Street

296 ft · 16 sec · West Bush Street

Turn right onto US 395; US 6 Hist

1.9 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist

56 mi · 1 hr 4 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist

7.0 mi · 8 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14; US 6 Hist

6.4 mi · 7 min · Aerospace Highway

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist

22 mi · 25 min · Midland Trail

Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist

20 mi · 23 min · Aerospace Highway

Use the none lane.

At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist

4.7 mi · 6 min · Sierra Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on CA 14

16 mi · 16 min · Aerospace Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 14; CA 138

48 mi · 53 min · Antelope Valley Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14

1.0 mi · 1 min · Antelope Valley Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 36 sec

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 5

2.6 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 5 Truck

Exit 158 Toward I 405 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

5.3 mi · 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec

Exit 153B Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 170

16 mi · 20 min · Hollywood Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Exit 2C Toward Broadway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on West Aliso Street

409 ft · 18 sec · West Aliso Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto North Spring Street

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North Spring Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto West 1st Street

354 ft · 12 sec · West 1st Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

West 1st Street

Trip Plan

Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the four-hour journey. Since the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart early in the morning or mid-day to avoid peak traffic congestion as you enter the Los Angeles area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial stretch, as services may be spaced out before you hit the more populated sections of the Antelope Valley Freeway. Since your fuel budget is approximately $28, consider filling up in Lone Pine to ensure you have plenty of range for the 209-mile trek. Prioritize comfort and consistency, as the variety of road types means you should remain alert to changing speed limits throughout the drive.

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 104.5 miles from Lone Pine, CA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.1 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 104.5 miles or 2h 2m 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 17m

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 Lone Pine, 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 Lone Pine, CA

This is one driving day of about 209 miles and 4h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lone Pine, 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 Grand Army of the Republic Highway for about 56.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 104.5 mi from Lone Pine, CA · 2h 2m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lancaster, CA

105 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

Lancaster, CA to Los Angeles, CA

70.8 mi · 1h 25m

Pacing Suggestions

Lancaster, CA

Fuel and coffee

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

Lancaster, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 104.5 miles from Lone Pine, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.40 one way

$96.80 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$49.91	$99.83
premium	$6.24	$51.37	$102.74
diesel	$5.64	$46.43	$92.87

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: 73.1 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	62.7	0	$21.94	$10.03
Efficient EV	52.3	0	$18.29	$8.36
EV Truck/SUV	83.6	1	$29.26	$13.38

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 19 hours ago

Origin

Lone Pine, CA

Night in Lone Pine on Sunday

Local time

10:24 PM

PDT

Current temp

42°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

ESE 13 to 18 mph 46% chance Live forecast

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 12:45AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Eureka CA

Winter Weather Advisory

Winter Weather Advisory issued April 12 at 12:40AM PDT until April 13 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Destination

Los Angeles, CA

Night in Los Angeles on Sunday

Local time

10:24 PM

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

35 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

4h 3m on the road

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lone Pine, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 209 miles and takes about 4h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Antelope Valley Freeway, Aerospace Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 104.5 miles from Lone Pine, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.40 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from Lone Pine, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. The route ranges from 285 ft to 3,731 ft elevation with about 989 ft of total climbing.

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Trip from Lone Pine, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Los Angeles, CA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lone Pine, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Same local time

35 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 3m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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