Traveling from Ontario to Los Angeles is a quick, straightforward 37.2-mile journey that typically takes about 45 minutes. Since the entire trip stays within the Pacific Coast region, it serves as a highly efficient day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting around $5 for fuel is more than enough to cover this short transit. You will primarily utilize the San Bernardino Freeway and the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes to navigate between these two Southern California points. This is a practical, no-nonsense commute that gets you from the Inland Empire to the heart of the city with minimal fuss.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Bernardino Freeway
32.6 mi
37m
North Euclid Avenue
1.7 mi
2m
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
1.4 mi
1m
Santa Ana Freeway
0.4 mi
<1m
North Los Angeles Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Arcadia Street
0.2 mi
<1m
East 1st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Holt Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
San Bernardino Freeway
— 32.6 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ontario, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Holt Boulevard
23 ft·5 sec·Holt Boulevard
2
Turn left onto North Euclid Avenue
1.7 mi·2 min·North Euclid Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
4
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
5
Take the exit
281 ft·6 sec
6
Merge onto I 10 EXPR
1.4 mi·1 min·I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
7
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.3 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.9 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.6 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
12 mi·14 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto US 101
0.4 mi·36 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 2BToward Alameda Street, Union StationUse the slight right lane.
22
Continue on I 10 EXPR
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Los Angeles Street
24
Turn right onto East 1st Street
461 ft·17 sec·East 1st Street
25
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 18.6 miles from Ontario, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 36.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Euclid Avenue
Turn left onto North Euclid Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
8 mi into trip|~10m 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
9.9 mi into trip|~12m 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
11.8 mi into trip|~14m 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.
8
36.5 mi into trip|~43m 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
$8.55 one way
$17.10 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg13 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$8.81
$17.62
premium
$6.18
$9.05
$18.09
diesel
$5.61
$8.21
$16.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 13 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 69% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
11.2
0
$3.91
$1.79
Efficient EV
9.3
0
$3.26
$1.49
EV Truck/SUV
14.9
0
$5.21
$2.38
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Ontario, CA
Late night
in Ontario on Tuesday
Local time
5:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Winter Storm Watch
The Winter Storm Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Reno NV on this developing situatio...
Winter Storm Watch
The Winter Storm Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Reno NV on this developing situatio...
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Local time
5:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Winter Storm Watch
The Winter Storm Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Reno NV on this developing situatio...
Winter Storm Watch
The Winter Storm Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Reno NV on this developing situatio...
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
3 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
45m 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?
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 93% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a significant 32.6-mile uninterrupted stretch along the San Bernardino Freeway, which defines the bulk of the experience. While you begin with a brief navigation through North Euclid Avenue, the route quickly transitions into a high-speed interstate environment. Expect a steady, fast-paced rhythm once you merge onto the freeway system. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and direct access over winding backroads or scenic detours.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.6 mi on San Bernardino Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on San Bernardino Freeway and North Euclid Avenue. 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 Euclid Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 23 decision points packed into just 37.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Euclid Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Ontario is in San Bernardino County and the Southern California region, more than 35 miles (50 km) east of Los Angeles. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the main airport serving the Inland Empire.
Top landmarks
•Frankish Building — building in Ontario, United States of America
•Ontario State Bank Block — bank building in Ontario, California
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 45m. Total distance: 37.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.6 miles on San Bernardino Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 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: near the start (North Euclid Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Los Angeles, CA before heading back.
