Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
3:33 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
6h 42m
Distance
372.6 mi
600 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$74
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.
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Transitioning from the Desert Southwest to the Pacific Coast, this 372.6-mile journey connects Phoenix, AZ, and Los Angeles, CA. Expect about 6 hours and 42 minutes of pure driving time, making it a manageable, albeit long, single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, the San Bernardino Freeway, and the Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway. With a fuel budget of approximately $73, you should plan your stops accordingly to manage costs and fatigue. While it is certainly doable in one day, the drive requires stamina as you leave the arid desert landscapes behind for the coastal urban environment of California.
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
186.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
The personality of this route is defined by a significant 29% highway share, which fluctuates as you transition from open stretches into more dense traffic patterns. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 262.1 miles. Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive as you approach the Los Angeles basin, requiring more focused attention than the straightaways of the desert. The road shifts from high-speed transit to a more technical, urban driving experience as you near your final destination. Staying alert is essential, especially as the highway character changes throughout the 372.6-mile trek.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 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 262.1 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 around 0.5 miles in near North 7th Avenue.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 372.6 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 330.7 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 341.2 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North 7th Avenue
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
330.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 53m in
|
I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
341.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 4m 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.
6
342 mi into trip
|
~6h 5m 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.
8
371.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 40m in
Take the exit toward Alameda Street, Union Station
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2B
Toward Alameda Street, Union Station
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 262.1 mi | 4h 35m |
| San Bernardino Freeway | 45.3 mi | 52m |
| Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway | 33.7 mi | 36m |
| Papago Freeway | 19 mi | 21m |
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes | 9.3 mi | 9m |
| North 7th Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 262.1 mi, about 4h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on West Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Avenue
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 10
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 10
125 mi
·
2 hr 7 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 Truck; US 95 Truck
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 10 Truck; US 95 Truck
7
Merge onto I 10; US 95
97 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
8
Continue on I 10
34 mi
·
36 min
·
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
40 mi
·
43 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
14 mi
·
15 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.3 mi
·
9 min
·
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
12 mi
·
14 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
25
Merge onto US 101
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 2B
Toward Alameda Street, Union Station
Use the slight right lane.
27
Continue on I 10 EXPR
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Los Angeles Street
Use the none lane.
29
Turn right onto East 1st Street
461 ft
·
17 sec
·
East 1st Street
Use the none lane.
30
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 6-hour and 42-minute haul, aiming for a single stop is your best strategy to keep your energy levels consistent. Depart early in the morning to avoid the worst of the congestion as you approach the Pacific Coast, as traffic patterns can significantly impact your arrival time. Keep your $73 fuel budget in mind when selecting fill-up spots, particularly since prices can vary drastically between desert outposts and the metropolitan areas of California. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, ensure your vehicle is road-ready before heading out. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over if you need a break during that long initial stretch on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.
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 186.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 262.1 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.3 miles or 3h 16m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Phoenix, AZ 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 Phoenix, AZ
This is one driving day of about 372.6 miles and 6h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Phoenix, AZ.
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 262.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 186.3 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 3h 16m 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 186.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ, 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 262.1 miles.
Arriving in Los Angeles, CA
The final approach into Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA.
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
$74.15 one way
$148.31 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
130 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $78.30 | $156.61 |
| premium | $5.59 | $81.96 | $163.91 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $82.78 | $165.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
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 | $39.12 | $17.88 |
| Efficient EV | 93.2 | 1 | $32.60 | $14.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149 | 1 | $52.16 | $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
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
3:33 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°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 warmer 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 Phoenix, AZ to Los Angeles, CA covers 372.6 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 186.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $74.15 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 25 significant decision points across 372.6 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 330.7 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 341.2 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Phoenix, AZ to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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