Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
4:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Palmdale, CA
Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
61.2 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Palmdale, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Traveling from Los Angeles to Palmdale covers 61.2 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 14 minutes. Because the trip is short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $8 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes the Hollywood Freeway, the Golden State Freeway, and the CA 14 Truck route to transition from the Pacific Coast region into the high desert. This drive is straightforward and efficient, serving as a practical connection rather than a multi-day expedition.
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
30.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 61.2-mile journey is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of high-traffic urban freeways before transitioning onto the CA 14 Truck route. Expect a consistent pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 29.5 miles on the CA 14. While the drive is functional and direct, you should be prepared for the transition from densely populated coastal corridors to the more open terrain of the high desert. It is a no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding, technical backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 29.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 14 Truck and Hollywood Freeway. 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
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 61.2 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.1 miles (CA 14 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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.
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
7
55.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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
55.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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 Along This Route
Between Los Angeles, CA and Palmdale, CA, road signs point toward Lancaster, Angeles Forest Highway and Pearblossom Highway.
Lancaster
26.1 mi in
|
~33m
|
via CA 14 Truck
Angeles Forest Highway
55.5 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Pearblossom Highway
55.5 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CA 14 Truck | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| Golden State Freeway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| Sierra Highway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| I 5 Truck | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CA 14 Truck
— 29.5 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Palmdale, 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
29 mi
·
33 min
·
CA 14 Truck
Toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Angeles Forest Highway, Pearblossom Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
466 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Angeles Forest Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
155 ft
·
6 sec
14
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Sierra Highway
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on US 6 Hist
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Sierra Highway
Use the none lane.
16
Turn right onto CA 138
38 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Palmdale Boulevard
17
Arrive at destination
CA 138
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 14-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire route without any scheduled stops, though you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the Los Angeles area. Given that the route is dominated by the CA 14 Truck highway, stay alert for heavy vehicle traffic that often utilizes this corridor. Planning your travel outside of peak commute hours will significantly improve your experience on the freeway sections. Use the simplicity of this short drive to your advantage by keeping your itinerary light and focused on your destination in Palmdale.
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 30.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.5 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 61.2 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.6 miles or 38m 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 3m
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 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 61.2 miles and 1h 14m.
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 29.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.6 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 61.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.6 miles from Los Angeles, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.17 one way
$28.34 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $14.62 | $29.23 |
| premium | $6.24 | $15.04 | $30.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.60 | $27.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
| Efficient EV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.35 | $2.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.57 | $3.92 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Palmdale, CA
Afternoon in Palmdale on Sunday
Local time
4:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
71°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
6 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 14m 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 Palmdale, CA covers 61.2 miles and takes about 1h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 14 Truck, Hollywood Freeway, Golden State 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 30.6 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 $14.17 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 15 significant decision points across 61.2 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.1 miles (CA 14 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Palmdale, CA, road signs point toward Lancaster, Angeles Forest Highway and Pearblossom Highway.
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