Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
2:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Mojave, CA
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
94.6 mi
152 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Mojave, CA
Dan Davison
Trip Overview
If you are looking to escape the Pacific Coast for the desert, the 94.6-mile trek from Los Angeles to Mojave is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 51 minutes. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, including the Hollywood Freeway, Aerospace Highway, and CA 14 Truck. Given the relatively short duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. This route serves as a practical transition from the dense urban sprawl of Los Angeles into the high desert, making it an efficient option for travelers who prioritize speed and direct access over scenic detours.
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
47.3 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused drive where 74% of your travel occurs on major arterial roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the route features a significant 45.7-mile uninterrupted stretch on CA 14 Truck. The experience is defined by steady, high-speed movement rather than technical, winding local roads. As you move away from the city center, the driving environment shifts from congested metropolitan transit into the open-road atmosphere of the Aerospace Highway. It is a functional and direct path, ideal for those who prefer to keep their eyes on the road and arrive at their destination with minimal navigation stress.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 14 Truck is the longest continuous segment at about 45.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 14 Truck and Aerospace Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Broadway.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 94.6 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Broadway
Turn right onto North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
16.9 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
22.3 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
24.5 mi into trip
|
~31m 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
26.1 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Mojave, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Lancaster along the way.
Lancaster
26.1 mi in
|
~33m
|
via CA 14 Truck
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 14 Truck | 45.7 mi | 52m |
| Aerospace Highway | 19.1 mi | 20m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| Golden State Freeway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| Sierra Highway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| I 5 Truck | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 14 Truck
— 45.7 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Mojave, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Broadway
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward US 101 North, CA 110
4
Merge onto US 101
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on US 101
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14 Truck
46 mi
·
52 min
·
CA 14 Truck
Toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Aerospace Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Sierra Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Arrive at destination
CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist
Trip Plan
Because this drive is under two hours, you have significant flexibility with your departure time to avoid the heaviest Los Angeles traffic. I recommend checking real-time highway conditions before you head out, as the Hollywood Freeway can experience sudden congestion that might add to your estimated 1h 51m travel time. Since there are no designated stops on this 94.6-mile route, make sure to fuel up or grab supplies before you leave the city limits. Having your $13 fuel budget set aside is a smart way to simplify your logistics. Keep in mind that the transition to the Aerospace Highway marks a change in driving pace, so stay alert for changes in speed limits as you exit the urban corridor.
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 47.3 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.7 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 47.3 miles or 57m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mojave, 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 94.6 miles and 1h 51m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on CA 14 Truck for about 45.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.3 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 47.3 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Mojave, CA
The final approach into Mojave, 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 Mojave, 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
$21.91 one way
$43.81 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $22.59 | $45.18 |
| premium | $6.24 | $23.25 | $46.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.02 | $42.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.93 | $4.54 |
| Efficient EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.28 | $3.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.24 | $6.05 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Mojave, CA
Afternoon in Mojave on Sunday
Local time
2:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
73°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
4 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
1h 51m 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 Los Angeles, CA to Mojave, CA covers 94.6 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 14 Truck, Aerospace Highway, Hollywood Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.3 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 $21.91 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 10 significant decision points across 94.6 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Mojave, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Lancaster along the way.
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