Transitioning from the mountain air of Lake Arrowhead to the urban expanse of Los Angeles is a manageable 79.9-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. Because this is a straightforward trek, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your commute will rely on a combination of the Rim of the World Highway, the Foothill Freeway, and the San Bernardino Freeway to navigate between these two Pacific Coast locations. Budgeting roughly $11 for fuel makes this an economical excursion for a quick getaway. Whether you are heading into the city for business or returning home, the route is designed for efficiency rather than a slow-paced tour. It serves as a practical link between the high-altitude climate of the San Bernardino Mountains and the bustling metropolitan landscape of Southern California.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.9 miles from Lake Arrowhead, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Foothill Freeway
39.3 mi
45m
Rim of the World Highway
16.1 mi
24m
San Bernardino Freeway
13.3 mi
15m
San Gabriel River Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
Waterman Avenue
2.1 mi
3m
CA 173
1.5 mi
2m
Santa Ana Freeway
0.4 mi
<1m
North Los Angeles Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Foothill Freeway
— 39.3 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Arrowhead, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Mittry Drive
207 ft·10 sec·Mittry Drive
2
Turn left onto CA 173
1.5 mi·2 min·CA 173
3
At end of road, turn right onto CA 18
16 mi·24 min·Rim of the World Highway
4
Continue on CA 18
2.1 mi·3 min·Waterman Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto CA 18
0.1 mi·18 sec·30th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward CA 210 West: Los Angeles, RiversideUse the left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto CA 210
24 mi·27 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.2 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
2.4 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.4 mi·1 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
1.8 mi·2 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 210
8.7 mi·9 min·Foothill Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·34 sec
Toward I 605 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 605
4.9 mi·5 min·San Gabriel River Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 22Toward I 10: San Bernardino, Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
12 mi·14 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 101
0.4 mi·36 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 2BToward Alameda Street, Union StationUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 10 EXPR
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Los Angeles Street
23
Turn right onto East 1st Street
461 ft·17 sec·East 1st Street
24
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best, though monitoring traffic patterns on the San Bernardino Freeway is always a smart move. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the 1 hour and 41 minute duration, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep your $11 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank before leaving Lake Arrowhead to avoid potential price fluctuations closer to the city. Because the route relies heavily on the Foothill Freeway, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure your travel time stays close to the estimated duration. Maintaining awareness of the changing road types will help you stay comfortable throughout the transition from mountain to city driving.
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 39.9 miles from Lake Arrowhead, CA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.3 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 18 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.9 miles or 53m 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 26m
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 Lake Arrowhead, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lake Arrowhead, CA
This is one driving day of about 79.9 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Lake Arrowhead, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Foothill Freeway for about 39.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.9 and 79.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
19.9 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the ramp toward CA 210 West: Los Angeles, Riverside
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward CA 210 West: Los Angeles, Riverside
6
44 mi into trip|~58m 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
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
65 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
79.1 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
$18.36 one way
$36.73 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$18.92
$37.85
premium
$6.18
$19.43
$38.86
diesel
$5.61
$17.64
$35.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24
0
$8.39
$3.84
Efficient EV
20
0
$6.99
$3.20
EV Truck/SUV
32
0
$11.19
$5.11
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Lake Arrowhead, CA
Late night
in Lake Arrowhead on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 41m 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 drive that is heavily highway-focused, with 74% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating the Foothill Freeway, which offers the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 39.3 miles. The personality of the road shifts significantly as you descend from the mountain highways toward the sprawling freeway network of the Los Angeles basin. While the initial segments require careful attention on mountain roads, the transition to high-speed freeways allows for a more consistent pace. You should anticipate a shift from technical, winding driving conditions to the high-traffic, multi-lane environment characteristic of California's major metropolitan arteries.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.3 mi on Foothill Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Foothill Freeway and Rim of the World Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.9 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lake Arrowhead, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Riverside along the way.
Lake Arrowhead is an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, California. As a scenic mountain resort in the San Bernardino Mountains, Lake Arrowhead's economy is almost completely supported by tourism, both by casual vacationers and part-time residents.
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 1h 41m. Total distance: 79.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.3 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44 miles (CA 210 / Foothill Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.8 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.
