Traveling from Santa Ana to Bishop covers 290 miles of California terrain, typically requiring about 5 hours and 48 minutes of travel time. While you can complete this journey in a single day, be prepared for a significant stretch of road that transitions you from the coastal environment toward the Eastern Sierra. You should budget approximately $67 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this route involves a combination of the Ontario Freeway, the Blue Star Memorial Highway, and the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it demands your focus behind the wheel, making it a practical trip for those who prefer an active driving experience over a simple interstate cruise.
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
145 miles from Santa Ana, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
104.5 mi
2h 2m
Blue Star Memorial Highway
103.3 mi
2h 3m
Ontario Freeway
17.1 mi
19m
Pomona Freeway
16.5 mi
19m
CA 57
11.9 mi
14m
Barstow and Mojave Freeway
9.7 mi
10m
CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
5.4 mi
5m
El Camino Sierra
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
— 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,301 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~1,169 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 46 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 Santa Ana, CA and Bishop, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·West 1st Street
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.5 mi·2 min·North Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto West Santa Clara Avenue
0.1 mi·14 sec·West Santa Clara Avenue
4
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·26 sec·this road
Toward I 5 North: Los AngelesUse the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 5
0.8 mi·55 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto CA 57
12 mi·14 min·CA 57
Toward CA 57 North: PomonaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
2.2 mi·2 min·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57
2.6 mi·3 min·Orange Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto CA 60; CA 57
16 mi·19 min·Pomona Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 41Toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San DiegoUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 15 North: Barstow
12
Merge onto I 15
17 mi·19 min·Ontario Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 15
6.8 mi·7 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.4 mi·5 min·CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
2.8 mi·3 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 141Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
17
Continue on this road
0.9 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 141Toward US 395 North: Adelanto, Bishop
18
Continue on US 395
67 mi·1 hr 20 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 395
0.9 mi·1 min·Red Mountain Road
20
Continue on US 395
37 mi·42 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi·4 min·South Main Street
23
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·South Edwards Street
25
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·31 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Main Street
27
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
28
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi·5 min·El Camino Sierra
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.6 mi·4 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn right onto May Street
54 ft·2 sec·May Street
31
Arrive at destination
May Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly six-hour excursion, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and maximize daylight. Plan to incorporate at least one dedicated stop into your itinerary to break up the drive and manage the technical nature of the local roads. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 104.5-mile stretch on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, where services may be spaced further apart. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace, but staying mindful of the $67 fuel estimate will help keep your travel budget on track. Always prioritize rest breaks to ensure you stay sharp for the more winding sections of the drive.
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 145 miles from Santa Ana, CA, or about 2h 53m 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 64 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145 miles or 2h 53m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bishop, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA
This is one driving day of about 290 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Santa Ana, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 36 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North Broadway
Turn right onto North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
2.8 mi into trip|~4m in|CA 57
Take the exit onto CA 57 toward CA 57 North: Pomona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CA 57 North: Pomona
6
14.7 mi into trip|~18m in|CA 57 / Orange Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57 / Orange Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
16.9 mi into trip|~21m in|CA 57 / Orange Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 57 / Orange Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
36 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San Diego
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 41
Toward I 15 North, I 15 South: Barstow, San Die...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.67 one way
$121.34 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$63.01
$126.02
premium
$5.67
$64.68
$129.36
diesel
$4.80
$54.76
$109.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87
1
$30.45
$13.92
Efficient EV
72.5
0
$25.38
$11.60
EV Truck/SUV
116
1
$40.60
$18.56
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Santa Ana, CA
Evening
in Santa Ana on Monday
Local time
5:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
S 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 2:01PM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 12:53PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Destination
Bishop, CA
Evening
in Bishop on Monday
Local time
5:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny
SSE 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 2:01PM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 12:53PM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard 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
16 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
5h 48m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience on this trip, as the route is only 21% highway, placing the majority of your time on local roads. You will encounter a turn-heavy profile that requires constant attention compared to a standard freeway drive. The longest uninterrupted section you will face is a 104.5-mile stretch along the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you progress, the road environment shifts significantly, moving away from the high-speed rhythm of the Ontario Freeway into more technical driving conditions. Prepare yourself for a route that prioritizes local navigation and steady, deliberate maneuvering over straight-line cruising.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 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?
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 0.1 miles in near North Broadway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 290 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (CA 57): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles (CA 57 / Orange Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,148 ft113 ft
Total Climb
4,223 ft
Total Descent
188 ft
Highest Point
4,148 ft
~290 mi in
Elevation Range
4,035 ft
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 Santa Ana, CA to Bishop, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.
San Diego
36 mi in|~43m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 290 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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 9 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 Bishop, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (CA 57): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles (CA 57 / Orange Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bishop, CA before the return drive.
