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Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Los Angeles, CA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 42m

Distance

372.6 mi

600 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$74

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 30m ★
6 AM
6h 42m
8 AM
7h 6m
10 AM
6h 51m
12 PM
6h 48m
3 PM
6h 52m
5 PM
7h 5m
8 PM
6h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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seat of Maricopa County, largest city in, and capital of, the State of Arizona, United States

Phoenix, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown los-angeles-ca

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Transitioning from the Desert Southwest to the Pacific Coast, this 372.6-mile journey connects Phoenix, AZ, and Los Angeles, CA. Expect about 6 hours and 42 minutes of pure driving time, making it a manageable, albeit long, single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, the San Bernardino Freeway, and the Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway. With a fuel budget of approximately $73, you should plan your stops accordingly to manage costs and fatigue. While it is certainly doable in one day, the drive requires stamina as you leave the arid desert landscapes behind for the coastal urban environment of California.

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

186.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway 262.1 mi 4h 35m
San Bernardino Freeway 45.3 mi 52m
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway 33.7 mi 36m
Papago Freeway 19 mi 21m
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes 9.3 mi 9m
North 7th Avenue 0.9 mi 1m
West Washington Street 0.5 mi 1m
Santa Ana Freeway 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway — 262.1 mi, about 4h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Los Angeles, CA.

1

Start on West Washington Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2

Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · North 7th Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto I 10

19 mi · 21 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Continue on I 10

125 mi · 2 hr 7 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 Truck; US 95 Truck

0.2 mi · 18 sec · I 10 Truck; US 95 Truck
7

Merge onto I 10; US 95

97 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
8

Continue on I 10

34 mi · 36 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 10

40 mi · 43 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 10

14 mi · 15 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR

9.3 mi · 9 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

0.9 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.9 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

1.4 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.5 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
21

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.6 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

12 mi · 14 min · San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Merge onto US 101

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 2B Toward Alameda Street, Union Station Use the slight right lane.
27

Continue on I 10 EXPR

0.2 mi · 32 sec · East Arcadia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
28

Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street

0.3 mi · 44 sec · North Los Angeles Street
29

Turn right onto East 1st Street

461 ft · 17 sec · East 1st Street
30

Arrive at destination

West 1st Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a 6-hour and 42-minute haul, aiming for a single stop is your best strategy to keep your energy levels consistent. Depart early in the morning to avoid the worst of the congestion as you approach the Pacific Coast, as traffic patterns can significantly impact your arrival time. Keep your $73 fuel budget in mind when selecting fill-up spots, particularly since prices can vary drastically between desert outposts and the metropolitan areas of California. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, ensure your vehicle is road-ready before heading out. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over if you need a break during that long initial stretch on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.

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 186.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 262.1 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 82 miles or 1h 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 186.3 miles or 3h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 32m

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 Phoenix, AZ 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 Phoenix, AZ

This is one driving day of about 372.6 miles and 6h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Phoenix, AZ.
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 262.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Riverside County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palm Desert, CA

186 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Parker, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Calipatria, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 186.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 262.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Los Angeles, California

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 372.6

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+12139082400

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Jurassic Magic Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Los Angeles, California

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 372.6

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12132639741

Visit website

Central Kitchen at The Lorenzo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 372.6

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+12139082400

Visit website

Workshop Kitchen & Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $50 to $10 mile 266.2

Palm Springs, California

Hours: 5–10 pm

+17604593451

Visit website

Ash & Vine Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $50 to $10 mile 266.2

Palm Springs, California

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+17606997730

Visit website

Jurassic Magic Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 372.6

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12132639741

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 292.8

Beaumont, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 292.8

Beaumont, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 292.8

Beaumont, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 292.8

Banning, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 319.4

Rialto, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 266.2

Palm Springs, California

+17603226059

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 266.2

Palm Springs, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.1 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 266.2

Palm Springs, California

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Los Angeles Plaza Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 372.6

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12134855572

Visit website

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Vista Hermosa Natural Park, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 372.6

Los Angeles, California

Visit website

60out Escape Rooms - Silver Lake

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 372.6

Los Angeles, California

Hours: 10 am–10:30 pm

+13233733101

Visit website

Dorrance DOME

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

NHRA Motorsports Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 346

Pomona, California

Hours: Closed

+19096222133

Visit website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

Sundance Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 26.6

Buckeye, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 371.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | North 7th Avenue

Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
330.7 mi into trip | ~5h 53m in | I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
343.4 mi into trip | ~6h 7m 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
345.2 mi into trip | ~6h 9m 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
371.9 mi into trip | ~6h 40m 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

$74.23 one way

$148.45 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 130 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $78.55 $157.11
premium $5.59 $82.02 $164.03
diesel $5.61 $82.27 $164.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$74

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$99–$124

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 130.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 111.8 1 $39.12 $17.88
Efficient EV 93.2 1 $32.60 $14.90
EV Truck/SUV 149 1 $52.16 $23.85

Gas CO2

130 kg

EV CO2

44 kg (66% 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Phoenix, AZ

Evening in Phoenix on Saturday

Local time

6:08 PM

MST

Current temp

93°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Los Angeles, CA

Evening in Los Angeles on Saturday

Local time

6:08 PM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Mostly Clear

NE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 1:22AM PDT until April 18 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Eureka 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

40 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 42m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The personality of this route is defined by a significant 29% highway share, which fluctuates as you transition from open stretches into more dense traffic patterns. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 262.1 miles. Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive as you approach the Los Angeles basin, requiring more focused attention than the straightaways of the desert. The road shifts from high-speed transit to a more technical, urban driving experience as you near your final destination. Staying alert is essential, especially as the highway character changes throughout the 372.6-mile trek.

Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 262.1 mi on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 0.5 miles in near North 7th Avenue.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 372.6 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: at 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 330.7 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 343.4 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Phoenix, AZ

Full guide →

Founded 1868

Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.

Top landmarks

  • • Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
  • • Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
  • • St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona

Arriving in Los Angeles, CA

Full guide →

“Tinseltown” · Founded 1781

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 42m. Total distance: 372.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 262.1 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 330.7 miles (I 10 EXPR / I-10 Metro ExpressLanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 343.4 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Los Angeles, CA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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