Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
1:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive 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
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to San Bernardino, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Barstow along the way.
Barstow
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and San Bernardino, CA.
Start on West 1st Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 101
Take the exit
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 215
Take the exit
Turn right onto West 5th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 59.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 29.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$13.85 one way
$27.70 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
1:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in San Bernardino on Sunday
Local time
1:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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