Los Angeles to Big River is 257.6 miles and takes about 4h 57m via Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway and San Bernardino Freeway, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within California's Pacific Coast region, offering a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel. It's a manageable one-day trip, suitable for those looking for a straightforward drive. Plan for around 34% of your route to be on freeways, with the remainder on other types of roads. The total distance is just under 260 miles, making it an efficient option for reaching your destination.
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
128.8 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
85.9 mi
1h 33m
Rice Road
80.3 mi
1h 37m
San Bernardino Freeway
45.1 mi
51m
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
33.5 mi
35m
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9 mi
9m
Rio Mesa Drive
1.4 mi
3m
Santa Ana Freeway
0.6 mi
<1m
Sierra Vista Road
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 85.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 79 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,859 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,266 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Los Angeles, CA and Big River, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
69 ft·9 sec·West 1st Street
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·North Main Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
338 ft·13 sec·East Aliso Street
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward US 101 South, I 10 East, I 5 South
5
Merge onto US 101
0.6 mi·51 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 1DToward I 10 East: San Bernardino
7
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
9.3 mi·10 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Toward I 10 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.1 mi·4 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.2 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.1 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.0 mi·4 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.0 mi·9 min·I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 10
14 mi·16 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 10
40 mi·44 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Toward Redlands, Palm SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
32 mi·34 min·Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
23
Continue on I 10
46 mi·48 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward Desert Center, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway
25
Turn left onto CA 177
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Rice Road
26
Turn right onto Rio Mesa Drive
1.4 mi·3 min·Rio Mesa Drive
27
Turn left onto Alamo Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Alamo Road
28
Turn right onto Sierra Vista Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Sierra Vista Road
29
Turn right onto Koloko Court
244 ft·10 sec·Koloko Court
30
Arrive at destination
Koloko Court
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure from Los Angeles to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic, especially if you plan to take the full 4h 57m duration. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $62, this trip is designed for efficient travel. The longest stretch is 85.9 miles on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility with your timing, but staying aware of changing road conditions as you move from freeway to surface roads will be key to a smooth trip.
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 128.8 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.9 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.8 miles or 2h 23m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big River, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 257.6 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Los Angeles, 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 85.9 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 15.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Main Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|East Aliso Street
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
10.7 mi into trip|~13m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
6
14.8 mi into trip|~18m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
6
15.8 mi into trip|~19m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.89 one way
$107.79 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$55.97
$111.94
premium
$5.67
$57.45
$114.91
diesel
$4.80
$48.64
$97.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.3
0
$27.05
$12.36
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.54
$10.30
EV Truck/SUV
103
1
$36.06
$16.49
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Cloudy then 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
Destination
Big River, CA
Late night
in Big River on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 6 mph5% 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
11 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 57m 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.
Joshua Tree National Park
National Park
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter a mixed highway and surface road profile on this drive. The Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway accounts for the longest continuous stretch at 85.9 miles, likely offering a more open cruising experience. As you transition away from the 34% highway share, expect more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections. The route involves navigating both significant freeway sections like the San Bernardino Freeway and less direct surface roads.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.9 mi on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near North Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 257.6 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: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,307 ft-23 ft
Total Climb
4,533 ft
Total Descent
4,381 ft
Highest Point
2,307 ft
~73.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,330 ft
Notable High Points
2,307 ft at ~73.6 miles+692 ft prominence
1,445 ft at ~202.4 miles+555 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Big River, CA, road signs point toward Redlands, Palm Springs, Desert Center and Chuckwalla Valley Raceway.
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 57m. Total distance: 257.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.9 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Big River, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Joshua Tree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Big River, CA, but most travelers stay overnight.
