How far is Palm Desert, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Palm Desert, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 122.6 miles (197.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 109.5 miles (176.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 06m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
A city in San Bernardino County, California.
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 Palm Desert and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Desert and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on San Luis Rey Avenue
132 m · 23 sec · San Luis Rey Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Palm Canyon Drive
1.3 km · 1 min · East Palm Canyon Drive
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3
Turn right onto Monterey Avenue
6 mi · 9 min · Monterey Avenue
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4
Continue on Monterey Avenue
69 m · 11 sec · Monterey Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I-10: WEST
2232 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
19.3 mi · 21 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
1.5 km · 1 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Spring Street
549 ft · 14 sec
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25
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1889 ft · 47 sec · North Spring Street
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26
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 14 sec · West 1st Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palm Desert 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 comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Palm Desert 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 Palm Desert to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 122.6 miles (197.3 km) and usually takes 02h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Redlands is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.2 miles from Palm Desert and 61.4 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 109.5 miles (176.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:16 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.98 one way or $49.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palm Desert and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Redlands
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Bear Springs Hotel
City Hall
San Bernardino County Land Use
City of Fontana Civic Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Redlands.
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Moreno Valley, California
Riverside–Downtown
Perris, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palm Desert and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 109.46 mi (176.16 km).
#1 Palm Desert
A city in Riverside County, California.
| Population | 53,524 |
| Coordinates | 33.7225500, -116.3769700 |
| Altitude | 67 |
| 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: 197 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $24.98 | $49.96 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $26.27 | $52.53 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $27.03 | $54.06 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $32.77 | $65.53 |
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.