Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
3:33 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
6h 42m
Distance
372.7 mi
600 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$86
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 30m
★
6 AM
6h 42m
8 AM
7h 6m
10 AM
6h 51m
12 PM
6h 48m
3 PM
6h 52m
5 PM
7h 5m
8 PM
6h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Traveling from the Pacific Coast to the Desert Southwest covers 372.7 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 42 minutes. While this journey is technically feasible as a one-day trip, be prepared for a full day of travel. You will navigate via the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, the San Bernardino Freeway, and the Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $51, it is a relatively affordable route for your travel budget. Because you are transitioning from California's coastal environment into the heat and geography of Arizona, the landscape shifts significantly as you progress. Use this data to determine if you prefer a steady, single-day push or a more relaxed pace for your cross-state transit.
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
186.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mix of highway efficiency and turn-heavy local segments, as only 29% of this route consists of high-speed highway driving. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 262.7-mile stretch along the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, which serves as the backbone of your trip. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you will need to remain attentive as the road conditions fluctuate throughout the 372.7-mile distance. While you will spend a good portion of the trip on major freeways, the local road influence ensures the drive remains engaging rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Stay alert for these changes in road character, as they dictate how you pace your travel behind the wheel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 262.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 29 significant decision points across 372.7 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 29 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.
7
370.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 37m in
Take the exit toward 7th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
9
371.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State Universi...
Towns Along This Route
Between Los Angeles, CA and Phoenix, AZ, road signs point toward Redlands and Palm Springs.
Redlands
55.5 mi in
|
~1h 4m
|
via I 10
Palm Springs
55.5 mi in
|
~1h 4m
|
via I 10
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 262.7 mi | 4h 35m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 45.1 mi | 51m |
| Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway | 33.5 mi | 35m |
| Papago Freeway | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes | 9 mi | 9m |
| North 1st Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| West Roosevelt Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 262.7 mi, about 4h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Phoenix, AZ.
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 left at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
23
Continue on I 10
222 mi
·
3 hr 50 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 10
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft
·
16 sec
·
North 7th Avenue
28
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Roosevelt Street
Use the none lane.
29
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
North 1st Avenue
Use the none lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Avenue
Use the none lane.
31
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Adams Street
32
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 1st Street
33
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Washington Street
34
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is straightforward since it is designed to be completed in one day, giving you plenty of flexibility for your departure time. You should budget for at least one planned stop to break up the 6-hour and 42-minute duration, ensuring you stay refreshed for the more technical, turn-heavy sections. Since your fuel costs will hover around $51, check your vehicle’s range before embarking on the 262.7-mile stretch of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway to avoid unnecessary refueling stress. If you choose to leave early in the morning, you can beat the heaviest traffic while maintaining a steady pace toward Phoenix. Keep in mind that the transition between regions can bring unexpected changes in conditions, so keep your eyes on the road and your navigation tools ready.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 186.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 262.7 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 82 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.4 miles or 3h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ 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 372.7 miles and 6h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 262.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 186.4 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 3h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
186 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 186.4 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 262.7 miles.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
The final approach into Phoenix, AZ 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 Phoenix, AZ.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$86.31 one way
$172.62 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
130 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $89.01 | $178.02 |
| premium | $6.24 | $91.60 | $183.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $82.80 | $165.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$111–$136
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111.8 | 1 | $39.13 | $17.89 |
| Efficient EV | 93.2 | 1 | $32.61 | $14.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.1 | 1 | $52.18 | $23.85 |
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
3:33 PM
MST
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
6h 42m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Phoenix, AZ covers 372.7 miles and takes about 6h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, San Bernardino Freeway, Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 186.4 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 $86.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 29 significant decision points across 372.7 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 Phoenix, AZ, road signs point toward Redlands and Palm Springs.
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