How far is Imperial, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Imperial, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 208.7 miles (335.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175.2 miles (281.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 29m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Riverside County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Imperial and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Imperial and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on East Barioni Boulevard
31 m · 5 sec · East Barioni Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto North Imperial Avenue
9.4 mi · 12 min · North Imperial Avenue
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3
Continue on South 1st Street
1999 ft · 33 sec · South 1st Street
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4
Turn left onto West Main Street
37.6 mi · 45 min · West Main Street
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5
Continue straight
32.5 mi · 38 min
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6
Merge slight right onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
32.6 mi · 35 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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7
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
39.9 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
13.9 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
9.3 mi · 10 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
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10
Merge slight right onto San Bernardino Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on San Bernardino Freeway
12.4 mi · 14 min · San Bernardino Freeway
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23
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
2349 ft · 36 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Alameda Street, Union Station
798 ft · 19 sec
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25
Continue on East Arcadia Street
988 ft · 32 sec · East Arcadia Street
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26
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
1696 ft · 45 sec · North Los Angeles Street
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27
Turn right onto East 1st Street
141 m · 18 sec · East 1st Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Imperial and Los Angeles.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
39.9 mi · 00h 44m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Imperial and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Imperial to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 208.7 miles (335.8 km) and usually takes 03h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Desert Hot Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.1 miles from Imperial and 104.6 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175.2 miles (281.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:02 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.46 one way or $84.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Imperial and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Desert Hot Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cimarron Golf Resort
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Golf Resort Palm Springs
Outdoor Resort Palm Springs
Palm Springs City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Desert Hot Springs.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs (Buses), California
Palm Springs Downtown, CA
Cabazon, CA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Imperial and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 175.2 mi (281.95 km).
#1 Imperial
City in Imperial County, California, United States
| Population | 19,663 |
| Coordinates | 32.8475500, -115.5694400 |
| Altitude | -18 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Los Angeles
The second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
| Population | 3,970,219 |
| Coordinates | 34.0522300, -118.2436800 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 1st Street (-118.243569, 34.052341)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 336 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $42.46 | $84.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $44.65 | $89.29 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $45.95 | $91.90 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $55.69 | $111.39 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.