Big Pine to Los Angeles is 251 miles and takes about 4h 54m via Grand Army of the Republic Highway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects the Pacific Coast region to itself, offering a straightforward path south. While it's a relatively short distance, plan for a steady pace as much of the route is on surface roads. The approximate fuel cost suggests a budget-friendly trip, and with a 1-day recommendation, it's easily manageable for most drivers.
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
125.5 miles from Big Pine, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
97.2 mi
1h 53m
Antelope Valley Freeway
49.1 mi
54m
Aerospace Highway
42.1 mi
47m
Midland Trail
22 mi
25m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Blue Star Memorial Highway
7 mi
8m
I 5 Truck
5.6 mi
6m
Sierra Highway
4.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
— 97.2 mi, about 1h 53m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,430 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~622 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 10 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Pine, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·30 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·North Edwards Street
3
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
5
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.0 mi·8 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14; US 6 Hist
6.4 mi·7 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist
22 mi·25 min·Midland Trail
9
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
20 mi·23 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist
4.7 mi·6 min·Sierra Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on CA 14
16 mi·16 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 14; CA 138
48 mi·53 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi·3 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1-day recommendation for this 251-mile drive, you have flexibility in your departure time. Leaving Big Pine in the morning should give you ample daylight to reach Los Angeles. With only one recommended stop and a 4h 54m estimated duration, you can easily break up the drive with a quick rest or meal. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 97.2-mile stretch on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, as services might be less frequent there before you hit the more developed areas closer to Los Angeles.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 125.5 miles from Big Pine, CA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.2 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.5 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Pine, 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 Pine, CA
This is one driving day of about 251 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Big Pine, 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 Grand Army of the Republic Highway for about 97.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 228.2 and 250.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
228.2 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
7
233.8 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
7
250.4 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Take the exit toward Broadway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
7
250.6 mi into trip|~4h 53m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
250.9 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.51 one way
$105.02 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$54.54
$109.08
premium
$5.67
$55.98
$111.96
diesel
$4.80
$47.39
$94.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.3
0
$26.36
$12.05
Efficient EV
62.8
0
$21.96
$10.04
EV Truck/SUV
100.4
1
$35.14
$16.06
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Big Pine, CA
Morning
in Big Pine on Sunday
Local time
10:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 1:24AM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Morning
in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
10:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Fog
SSE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 1:24AM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
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
3 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
4h 54m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 225
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 155.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 29% of this trip on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 97.2 miles on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. After this, you'll transition to mostly surface roads for the remainder of the 251-mile drive. Expect a mix of driving, from potentially open cruising on the main highway to navigating more local traffic as you approach your destination.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.2 mi on Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 228.2 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 251 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 228.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Big Pine is in the Eastern Sierra region of California. It is one of a chain of small towns along US Route 395 in the Owens Valley along the southern Sierra Nevada.
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 4h 54m. Total distance: 251 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.2 miles on Grand Army of the Republic Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 228.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Los Angeles, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
