Driving from Lone Pine to Los Angeles covers 209 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 3 minutes. This route serves as a perfect one-day trip, allowing you to transition from the Eastern Sierra region down into the heart of the Pacific Coast. You will navigate via the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, the Antelope Valley Freeway, and the Aerospace Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, the journey is quite budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. Whether you are heading back to the city or exploring the region, this drive provides a straightforward connection between two distinct California landscapes. It is a manageable distance that does not require an overnight stay, keeping your travel plans simple and efficient.
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
104.5 miles from Lone Pine, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
56.1 mi
1h 4m
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
— 56.1 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lone Pine, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on North Washington Street
78 ft·10 sec·North Washington Street
2
Turn left onto West Bush Street
296 ft·16 sec·West Bush Street
3
Turn right onto US 395; US 6 Hist
1.9 mi·3 min·North Main Street
4
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.0 mi·8 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
7
Continue on CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist
22 mi·25 min·Midland Trail
8
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
20 mi·23 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on CA 14
16 mi·16 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 14; CA 138
48 mi·53 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi·3 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the four-hour journey. Since the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart early in the morning or mid-day to avoid peak traffic congestion as you enter the Los Angeles area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial stretch, as services may be spaced out before you hit the more populated sections of the Antelope Valley Freeway. Since your fuel budget is approximately $28, consider filling up in Lone Pine to ensure you have plenty of range for the 209-mile trek. Prioritize comfort and consistency, as the variety of road types means you should remain alert to changing speed limits throughout the drive.
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 104.5 miles from Lone Pine, CA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.1 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.5 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 17m
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 Lone 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 Lone Pine, CA
This is one driving day of about 209 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Lone 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 56.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 186.2 and 208.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
186.2 mi into trip|~3h 34m 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
191.8 mi into trip|~3h 40m 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
208.5 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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
208.7 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
208.9 mi into trip|~4h 3m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.04 one way
$96.07 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$49.50
$99.00
premium
$6.18
$50.83
$101.65
diesel
$5.61
$46.14
$92.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.7
0
$21.94
$10.03
Efficient EV
52.3
0
$18.29
$8.36
EV Truck/SUV
83.6
1
$29.26
$13.38
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Lone Pine, CA
Late night
in Lone Pine on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
12:51 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
9 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 3m 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 187.4
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 115.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile that keeps the experience varied behind the wheel. You will spend roughly 35% of your time on highways, balancing open stretches with more localized road navigation. The longest uninterrupted portion of the journey spans 56.1 miles along the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, which provides a steady rhythm before the route transitions toward the city. As you move from the mountain-adjacent areas toward the Los Angeles basin, the road character shifts from regional thoroughfares to busier freeway corridors. Expect a blend of high-speed cruising and standard roadway driving that reflects the shifting terrain as you approach your destination.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.1 mi on Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 186.2 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 14 significant decision points across 209 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 186.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3m. Total distance: 209 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.1 miles on Grand Army of the Republic Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 186.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.5 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Los Angeles, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
