If you are looking to escape the Pacific Coast for the desert, the 94.6-mile trek from Los Angeles to Mojave is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 51 minutes. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, including the Hollywood Freeway, Aerospace Highway, and CA 14 Truck. Given the relatively short duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. This route serves as a practical transition from the dense urban sprawl of Los Angeles into the high desert, making it an efficient option for travelers who prioritize speed and direct access over scenic detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.3 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
CA 14 Truck
45.7 mi
52m
Aerospace Highway
19.1 mi
20m
Hollywood Freeway
15.5 mi
19m
Golden State Freeway
6.8 mi
7m
Sierra Highway
3.7 mi
4m
I 5 Truck
1.5 mi
1m
Santa Ana Freeway
0.7 mi
<1m
North Broadway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
CA 14 Truck
— 45.7 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Mojave, 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
3.7 mi·4 min·Sierra Highway
13
Arrive at destination
CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist
Trip Plan
Because this drive is under two hours, you have significant flexibility with your departure time to avoid the heaviest Los Angeles traffic. I recommend checking real-time highway conditions before you head out, as the Hollywood Freeway can experience sudden congestion that might add to your estimated 1h 51m travel time. Since there are no designated stops on this 94.6-mile route, make sure to fuel up or grab supplies before you leave the city limits. Having your $13 fuel budget set aside is a smart way to simplify your logistics. Keep in mind that the transition to the Aerospace Highway marks a change in driving pace, so stay alert for changes in speed limits as you exit the urban corridor.
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 47.3 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.7 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.3 miles or 57m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mojave, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 94.6 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on CA 14 Truck for about 45.7 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 9
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
$21.74 one way
$43.49 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$22.41
$44.81
premium
$6.18
$23.01
$46.01
diesel
$5.61
$20.89
$41.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
32 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ROW DTLA - Tesla Supercharger
Los Angeles, CA
Tesla
16 DCFC
Target - Tesla Supercharger
Huntington Park, CA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Vernon, CA - E 25th St - Tesla Supercharger
Vernon, CA
Tesla
8 DCFC
1820 Industrial
Los Angeles, CA
EVCS
8 DCFC
Vernon Farmers Marketplace - Tesla Supercharger
Vernon, CA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Los Angeles - Industrial Street - Tesla Supercharger
Los Angeles, CA
Tesla
8 DCFC
WattEV - Vernon (Bandini Blvd)
Vernon, CA
WATT_EV
5 DCFC
Los Angeles Police Department - Main Street Parking
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.4
0
$9.93
$4.54
Efficient EV
23.7
0
$8.28
$3.78
EV Truck/SUV
37.8
0
$13.24
$6.05
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 21, 2026
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
1:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 0 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 20 at 9:39PM PDT until April 22 at 7:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 20 at 9:39PM PDT until April 22 at 7:00AM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Destination
Mojave, CA
Late night
in Mojave on Tuesday
Local time
1:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live 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
13 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
1h 51m 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.
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 22.8
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 94.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused drive where 74% of your travel occurs on major arterial roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the route features a significant 45.7-mile uninterrupted stretch on CA 14 Truck. The experience is defined by steady, high-speed movement rather than technical, winding local roads. As you move away from the city center, the driving environment shifts from congested metropolitan transit into the open-road atmosphere of the Aerospace Highway. It is a functional and direct path, ideal for those who prefer to keep their eyes on the road and arrive at their destination with minimal navigation stress.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.7 mi on CA 14 Truck.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 14 Truck and Aerospace Highway. 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 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.
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 Mojave, 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
Mojave is a city of 4,200 people (2010) in Kern County in the Desert region of California. Mojave has a rich aerospace history because of nearby Edwards Air Force Base, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, and Palmdale Regional Airport.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 94.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m 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 45.7 miles on CA 14 Truck. 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 Mojave, 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 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 — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mojave, CA before heading back.
