Transitioning from the mountains of Big Bear Lake to the urban sprawl of Los Angeles is a manageable 96.7-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to easily bridge the gap between these Pacific Coast locations. Budgeting around $13 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the trip. Navigating this route involves a combination of the Steve Faris Memorial Highway, the Foothill Freeway, and the San Bernardino Freeway. Whether you are heading back to the city after a getaway or just exploring the region, this straightforward drive offers a practical connection between two distinct California settings.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.4 miles from Big Bear Lake, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Foothill Freeway
43.9 mi
50m
Steve Faris Memorial Highway
14.8 mi
25m
San Bernardino Freeway
13.3 mi
15m
Rim of the World Highway
10.2 mi
18m
San Gabriel River Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
Big Bear Boulevard
4.4 mi
8m
Hilltop Boulevard
2.2 mi
4m
Santa Ana Freeway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Foothill Freeway
— 43.9 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Bear Lake, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Pine Knot Avenue
80 ft·7 sec·Pine Knot Avenue
2
Turn right onto CA 18
0.4 mi·1 min·Big Bear Boulevard
3
Continue on CA 18
3.9 mi·7 min·Big Bear Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on CA 18
501 ft·9 sec·Big Bear Bridge
5
Continue on CA 18
10 mi·18 min·Rim of the World Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on CA 18
2.2 mi·4 min·Hilltop Boulevard
7
Continue on CA 330
15 mi·25 min·Steve Faris Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·39 sec
Toward CA 210 West: PasadenaUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto CA 210
29 mi·32 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
2.4 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
8.7 mi·9 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·34 sec
Toward I 605 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 605
4.9 mi·5 min·San Gabriel River Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 22Toward I 10: San Bernardino, Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
12 mi·14 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 101
0.4 mi·36 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 2BToward Alameda Street, Union StationUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on I 10 EXPR
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Los Angeles Street
25
Turn right onto East 1st Street
461 ft·17 sec·East 1st Street
26
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip is only 2 hours and 13 minutes, you have significant flexibility with your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the San Bernardino Freeway is always a smart move. Because there are zero formal stops scheduled along this 96.7-mile corridor, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Big Bear Lake to keep your $13 estimate accurate. You won't need to plan for an overnight stay, making this a stress-free travel day. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between the Foothill Freeway and the San Bernardino Freeway to ensure you remain on the fastest path to your specific destination in Los Angeles.
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 48.4 miles from Big Bear Lake, CA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.9 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 21 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.4 miles or 1h 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 1h 52m
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 Big Bear Lake, 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 Big Bear Lake, CA
This is one driving day of about 96.7 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Big Bear Lake, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Foothill Freeway for about 43.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.7 and 96 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
31.7 mi into trip|~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 210 West: Pasadena
6
60.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210 / Foothill Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
81.6 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 10: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
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 22
Toward I 10: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
7
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
8
96 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.23 one way
$44.45 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$22.90
$45.81
premium
$6.18
$23.52
$47.03
diesel
$5.61
$21.35
$42.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29
0
$10.15
$4.64
Efficient EV
24.2
0
$8.46
$3.87
EV Truck/SUV
38.7
0
$13.54
$6.19
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Big Bear Lake, CA
Late night
in Big Bear Lake on Tuesday
Local time
4:03 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
4:03 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
2 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
2h 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 65% of your travel time will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will face your longest uninterrupted segment while covering 43.9 miles on the Foothill Freeway, which dictates the pace of the drive. The personality of the road shifts from the initial mountain descent onto more heavily trafficked freeway lanes as you approach the Los Angeles basin. While the drive is efficient, you should be prepared for the transition from the Steve Faris Memorial Highway to the faster-paced freeway system. It is a functional, high-speed route designed to move you efficiently from the elevation of Big Bear Lake down to the Pacific Coast metropolitan area.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.9 mi on Foothill Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Foothill Freeway and Steve Faris Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 96.7 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: at 31.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.8 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
Top landmarks
•Hollywood Walk of Fame — more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks...
•Hollywood Sign — sign reading "HOLLYWOOD" located in Los Angeles, California, United States
•Getty Center — campus of the Getty Museum and other programs of the Getty Trust in Los Angeles
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 96.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.9 miles on Foothill Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Los Angeles, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.8 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Los Angeles, CA before heading back.
