Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes is 308.7 miles and takes about 6h 9m via Grand Army of the Republic Highway, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects the Pacific Coast region of Southern California to the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Expect a mix of highway and surface road driving as you head northeast. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll want to get an early start to make the most of your daylight. This route is a straightforward option for reaching the Mammoth Lakes area.
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
154.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
104.5 mi
2h 2m
Aerospace Highway
45.8 mi
51m
CA 14 Truck
45.7 mi
52m
North Sierra Highway
36.4 mi
42m
Midland Trail
22 mi
25m
Hollywood Freeway
15.5 mi
19m
Blue Star Memorial Highway
6.8 mi
7m
Golden State Freeway
6.8 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
— 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 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 Los Angeles, CA and Mammoth Lakes, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·West 1st Street
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Broadway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 101 North, CA 110
4
Merge onto US 101
0.7 mi·55 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
5
Continue on US 101
15 mi·19 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14 Truck
46 mi·52 min·CA 14 Truck
Toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, LancasterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
19 mi·20 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
4.7 mi·6 min·Sierra Highway
13
Turn right onto Aerospace Highway
20 mi·23 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
22 mi·25 min·Midland Trail
15
Continue on CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist
6.7 mi·7 min·Aerospace Highway
16
Merge onto US 395; US 6 Hist
6.8 mi·7 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi·4 min·South Main Street
19
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·South Edwards Street
21
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·31 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Main Street
23
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
24
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi·5 min·El Camino Sierra
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.4 mi·4 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto CA 168
1.5 mi·2 min·West Line Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto North Barlow Lane
1.0 mi·1 min·North Barlow Lane
28
Turn left onto US 395
36 mi·42 min·North Sierra Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
30
Turn left onto CA 203
3.3 mi·5 min·CA 203
31
Turn right
229 ft·18 sec
32
Turn right
296 ft·21 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight on this 6-hour drive, aim to depart Los Angeles early in the morning. The route is manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with your timing. While there's only one recommended stop, plan for breaks as needed, especially considering the 104.5-mile stretch on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $70 estimated cost suggests stations might be spaced out in certain sections. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition before setting out.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 154.4 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 68 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.4 miles or 3h 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mammoth Lakes, 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 308.7 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 Grand Army of the Republic Highway for about 104.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.9 and 71.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16.9 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
22.3 mi into trip|~28m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
24.5 mi into trip|~31m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
8
26.1 mi into trip|~33m in|CA 14 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14 Truck toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 14 North: Palmdale, Lancaster
6
71.7 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|CA 14 / Aerospace Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14 / Aerospace Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.58 one way
$129.17 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$67.08
$134.15
premium
$5.67
$68.85
$137.70
diesel
$4.80
$58.29
$116.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.6
1
$32.41
$14.82
Efficient EV
77.2
0
$27.01
$12.35
EV Truck/SUV
123.5
1
$43.22
$19.76
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 21, 2026
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Morning
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
8:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Patchy Fog
SSE 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Watch
Extreme Heat Watch issued July 21 at 1:24AM MST until July 27 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Extreme Heat Watch
Extreme Heat Watch issued July 21 at 1:24AM MST until July 27 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Morning
in Mammoth Lakes on Tuesday
Local time
8:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Watch
Extreme Heat Watch issued July 21 at 1:24AM MST until July 27 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Extreme Heat Watch
Extreme Heat Watch issued July 21 at 1:24AM MST until July 27 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
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
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 9m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Devils Postpile National Monument
National Monument
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 308.7
Park Closure: Reds Meadow Road Access Restrictions in 2026
Park Closure: Devils Postpile National Monument facilities are closed for the season
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 21.3
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 95.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route spends about 24% of its mileage on highways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway, 104.5 miles on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, before transitioning to surface roads. The profile indicates mostly surface roads for the majority of the trip. Be prepared for a gradual transition from faster highway speeds to more local road driving.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 16.9 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 308.7 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 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
7,886 ft285 ft
Total Climb
9,120 ft
Total Descent
1,518 ft
Highest Point
7,886 ft
~308.7 mi in
Elevation Range
7,602 ft
Notable High Points
4,047 ft at ~176.4 miles+388 ft prominence
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 Los Angeles, CA to Mammoth Lakes, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Lancaster along the way.
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
Mammoth Lakes is a resort town next to Mammoth Mountain which is a popular skiing destination. Mammoth Lakes is in the Eastern Sierra region of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. In 2020, it had a permanent population of 7,200 people.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 308.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.5 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 Mammoth Lakes, 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 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Devils Postpile National Monument, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mammoth Lakes, CA before the return drive.
