Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
3:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Calexico, CA
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
222.3 mi
358 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Calexico, CA
Lesli Whitecotton
Trip Overview
Traveling from Los Angeles to Calexico covers 222.3 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 13 minutes. This highway-focused route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, making it a straightforward journey for those heading toward the border region. You can expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel for the one-way trek. By utilizing the San Bernardino Freeway and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, you transition away from the Pacific Coast urban sprawl toward the desert landscape of Calexico. It is a functional, direct drive that favors efficiency over sightseeing, so plan your schedule accordingly to avoid peak traffic out of Los Angeles.
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
111.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its reliance on major transit corridors, with highways accounting for 69% of your total travel time. You will spend much of your time on established routes, including a notable 66.6-mile uninterrupted stretch along CA 86. The road’s personality shifts from dense, high-speed metropolitan freeways to more open, steady highway driving as you head further inland. Expect a consistent, focused pace behind the wheel that requires sustained attention rather than technical maneuvering. Because the route is largely highway-based, the character of the drive remains predictable and steady throughout the duration of your trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 86 is the longest continuous segment at about 66.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 86 and San Bernardino Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 222.3 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: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Main Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Aliso Street
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
10.7 mi into trip
|
~13m 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 none lane.
6
14.8 mi into trip
|
~18m 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 none lane.
8
128.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
CA 86
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 86 toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Ce...
Towns Along This Route
Between Los Angeles, CA and Calexico, CA, road signs point toward Redlands, Palm Springs, Brawley and El Centro.
Redlands
55.5 mi in
|
~1h 4m
|
via I 10
Palm Springs
55.5 mi in
|
~1h 4m
|
via I 10
Brawley
128.3 mi in
|
~2h 23m
|
via CA 86
El Centro
128.3 mi in
|
~2h 23m
|
via CA 86
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 86 | 66.6 mi | 1h 17m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 45.1 mi | 51m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 40.3 mi | 44m |
| Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway | 32.5 mi | 34m |
| Ben Hulse Highway | 23.4 mi | 27m |
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes | 9 mi | 9m |
| Brawley Bypass | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 86
— 66.6 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Calexico, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
69 ft
·
9 sec
·
West 1st Street
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Main Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
338 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Aliso Street
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 101 South, I 10 East, I 5 South
5
Merge onto US 101
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 1D
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
7
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Toward I 10 East
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 10
14 mi
·
16 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
20
Continue on I 10
40 mi
·
44 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Toward Redlands, Palm Springs
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 86
67 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
CA 86
Toward CA 86 South: CA 86 South, Brawley, El Centro
Use the none lane.
23
Turn left onto CA 78
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Brawley Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Continue on CA 78; CA 111
23 mi
·
27 min
·
Ben Hulse Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto CA 98
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Birch Street
26
Turn slight left onto Harold Avenue
187 ft
·
14 sec
·
Harold Avenue
27
Turn sharp left onto CA 98
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West Birch Street
28
Arrive at destination
CA 98
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 222.3-mile trip, aim to depart early to beat Los Angeles congestion and ensure a smooth exit from the city. Since the route is a single-day commitment, you have the flexibility to power through or take advantage of the one recommended stop to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on the CA 86 section, as this is your longest stretch of road and where you should plan your primary break. Budgeting about $30 for gas is a solid baseline, but keep a little extra set aside for potential price fluctuations along the highway. Staying alert during the long, steady miles on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway will help you reach Calexico safely and on schedule.
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 111.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.6 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.1 miles or 2h 5m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calexico, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 222.3 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Los Angeles, 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 CA 86 for about 66.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111.1 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 2h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 111.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CA 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.6 miles.
Arriving in Calexico, CA
The final approach into Calexico, 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 Calexico, 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
$51.48 one way
$102.96 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $53.09 | $106.18 |
| premium | $6.24 | $54.64 | $109.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $49.39 | $98.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.7 | 0 | $23.34 | $10.67 |
| Efficient EV | 55.6 | 0 | $19.45 | $8.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.9 | 1 | $31.12 | $14.23 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Calexico, CA
Afternoon in Calexico on Sunday
Local time
3:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
61°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
16 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
4h 13m 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 Los Angeles, CA to Calexico, CA covers 222.3 miles and takes about 4h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 86, San Bernardino Freeway, Pearl Harbor Memorial 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 111.1 miles from Los Angeles, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.48 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 222.3 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: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Calexico, CA, road signs point toward Redlands, Palm Springs, Brawley and El Centro.
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