Trip from Los Angeles, CA to San Bernardino, CA

Drive Time

1h 11m

Distance

59.8 mi

96 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

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 6m ★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown los-angeles-ca

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Traveling from Los Angeles to San Bernardino is a straightforward 59.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 11 minutes. Because this trip stays within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience significant geographic transitions, but you will move from the dense urban core of LA toward the Inland Empire. It is perfectly suited as a quick day trip, meaning there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations. With a fuel budget of just $8, it is a very economical drive for a weekend outing or a quick commute. Expect a simple, functional trip that prioritizes speed and efficiency over a leisurely pace.

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

29.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the trip spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time navigating the San Bernardino Freeway, which accounts for a 47.3-mile stretch of the journey. The route also utilizes the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes to help manage traffic flow before transitioning onto West 5th Street as you reach your destination. It is a classic interstate grind, characterized by steady speeds and high-volume road infrastructure. You should be prepared for a consistent, utilitarian experience behind the wheel rather than a winding or scenic backcountry path.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Bernardino Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 47.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Bernardino Freeway and I-10 Metro ExpressLanes. 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 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 59.8 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 55.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

These 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.
7
55.5 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Take the exit toward I 215: Riverside, San Bernardino, Barstow

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 I 215: Riverside, San Bernardino, Barsto...
8
55.7 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 215 North: San Bernardino, Barstow

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 215 North: San Bernardino, Barstow
8
58.8 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward 5th Street, Civic Center

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. Exit 44A Toward 5th Street, Civic Center

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to San Bernardino, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Barstow along the way.

Barstow

55.5 mi in | ~1h 4m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
San Bernardino Freeway 47.3 mi 54m
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes 9 mi 9m
West 5th Street 0.7 mi 1m
Santa Ana Freeway 0.6 mi <1m
North Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
East Aliso Street <0.1 mi <1m
West 1st Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: San Bernardino Freeway — 47.3 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and San Bernardino, 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

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 215: Riverside, San Bernardino, Barstow Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 215 North: San Bernardino, Barstow Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22

Merge onto I 215

2.3 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 44A Toward 5th Street, Civic Center Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Turn right onto West 5th Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West 5th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
25

Arrive at destination

West 5th Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but it is wise to account for heavy traffic patterns typical of the San Bernardino Freeway. You can easily complete the entire 59.8-mile drive without needing any formal stops, allowing you to reach your destination in one efficient push. Because the drive is brief, try to time your departure to avoid peak rush hour periods to ensure you stay close to the estimated 1-hour and 11-minute duration. Keep your $8 fuel budget in mind, and ensure your tank is topped off before hitting the major express lanes to avoid unnecessary detours once you are underway.

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 29.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 59.8 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 29.9 miles or 35m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Bernardino, 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 59.8 miles and 1h 11m.

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 San Bernardino Freeway for about 47.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 29.9 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 35m into the drive

Downtown Pomona, CA, CA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pomona, CA

30 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

Pomona, CA to San Bernardino, CA

32 mi · 44m

Pacing Suggestions

Rialto, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pomona, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 29.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in San Bernardino, CA

The final approach into San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, 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

$13.85 one way

$27.70 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.07 $14.28 $28.56
premium $6.24 $14.70 $29.40
diesel $5.64 $13.29 $26.57

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: 20.9 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 17.9 0 $6.28 $2.87
Efficient EV 15 0 $5.23 $2.39
EV Truck/SUV 23.9 0 $8.37 $3.83

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Los Angeles, CA

Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday

Local time

1:49 PM

PDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Bernardino, CA

Afternoon in San Bernardino on Sunday

Local time

1:49 PM

PDT

Current temp

52°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

25 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 11m 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 San Bernardino, CA covers 59.8 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Bernardino Freeway, I-10 Metro ExpressLanes, West 5th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.9 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 $13.85 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 23 significant decision points across 59.8 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 55.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to San Bernardino, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Barstow along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

San Bernardino, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Plan the drive back the other way.

59.8 mi 1h 10m

Explore more options from Los Angeles, CA or browse trips ending in San Bernardino, CA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.

Explore maps for Los Angeles, CA or San Bernardino, CA on MapSof.net.