Rancho Cucamonga to Black Meadow Landing is 250.2 miles and takes about 5h 8m via Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Rice Road, and Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region of California to another part of the Pacific Coast, offering a generally turn-heavy local drive experience. While much of the route involves navigating local roads, there's a significant stretch on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway to consider. Plan for a single day of travel, keeping the total driving time in mind.
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
125.1 miles from Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
85.9 mi
1h 33m
Rice Road
84.1 mi
1h 42m
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
33.5 mi
35m
San Bernardino Freeway
16.3 mi
18m
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
6.6 mi
7m
Trails End Camp Road
6.2 mi
14m
Rio Vista Highway
4.4 mi
5m
Riverside Drive
4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 85.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Black Meadow Landing, CA.
1
Start on this road
185 ft·15 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right
88 ft·11 sec
3
Turn left onto Archibald Avenue
2.6 mi·4 min·Archibald Avenue
Use the left / uturn lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 10 East: San BernardinoUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 10
16 mi·18 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
40 mi·44 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Toward Redlands, Palm SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
32 mi·34 min·Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
9
Continue on I 10
46 mi·48 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward Desert Center, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway
11
Turn left onto CA 177
84 mi·1 hr 42 min·Rice Road
12
Turn right onto CA 62
0.4 mi·46 sec·CA 62
13
Continue on AZ 95 Truck
0.9 mi·1 min·California Avenue
14
Turn left onto AZ 95
4.4 mi·5 min·Rio Vista Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on AZ 95
6.6 mi·7 min·Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
16
Continue on AZ 95
4.0 mi·4 min·Riverside Drive
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto AZ 95S
158 ft·4 sec·Parker Dam Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 95S
1.4 mi·2 min·Parker Dam Road
19
Turn slight right onto Trails End Camp Road
6.2 mi·14 min·Trails End Camp Road
20
Continue on Black Meadow Road
2.9 mi·11 min·Black Meadow Road
21
Turn left
75 ft·5 sec
22
Turn right
0.3 mi·1 min
23
Turn left
124 ft·12 sec
24
Turn left
215 ft·15 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 8m estimated drive time and 250.2 miles, starting your journey in the morning will allow ample time to reach Black Meadow Landing comfortably. The route includes one main stop, so plan to take a break around the halfway point, or whenever you feel the need. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 85.9-mile stretch on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. With a single-day recommendation, you have flexibility, but it's wise to be aware of the turn-heavy nature and adjust your pace accordingly.
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 125.1 miles from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, or about 2h 19m 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 55 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.1 miles or 2h 19m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Black Meadow Landing, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rancho Cucamonga, 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 Rancho Cucamonga, CA
This is one driving day of about 250.2 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Rancho Cucamonga, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 224.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
At end of road, turn right
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Archibald Avenue
Turn left onto Archibald Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / uturn lanes.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
6
59.6 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|I 10 / Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
224.4 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|AZ 95 / Rio Vista Highway
Turn left onto AZ 95 / Rio Vista Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.51 one way
$115.01 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$59.26
$118.52
premium
$6.18
$60.85
$121.69
diesel
$5.61
$55.24
$110.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.1
0
$26.27
$12.01
Efficient EV
62.6
0
$21.89
$10.01
EV Truck/SUV
100.1
1
$35.03
$16.01
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Morning
in Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday
Local time
7:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Black Meadow Landing, CA
Morning
in Black Meadow Landing on Sunday
Local time
7:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°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
18 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
5h 8m 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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
$30
near mile 112.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, with only 20% of the route on highways. Expect a dynamic driving experience that shifts between faster highway segments and more involved local road navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 85.9 miles on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, providing a period of more consistent travel. As you progress, the road character will likely evolve, requiring your attention to changing speed limits and intersections.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 250.2 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Archibald Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Black Meadow Landing, CA, road signs point toward Redlands, Palm Springs, Desert Center and Chuckwalla Valley Raceway.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 250.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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.
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 Black Meadow Landing, 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Archibald Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Joshua Tree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Black Meadow Landing, CA before the return drive.
