How far is Ridgecrest, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance from Ridgecrest, CA to Los Angeles, CA is about 156 miles (251.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.3 miles (182.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m 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 32m.
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.
Census-designated place in Kern County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ridgecrest and Los Angeles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgecrest and Los Angeles.
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1
Start on West Ridgecrest Boulevard
82 m · 13 sec · West Ridgecrest Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto South China Lake Boulevard
6 mi · 9 min · South China Lake Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
9.9 mi · 11 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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4
Turn right onto Garlock Road
8.4 mi · 12 min · Garlock Road
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5
Continue on Redrock Randsburg Road
12.1 mi · 17 min · Redrock Randsburg Road
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6
Continue on Midland Trail
1743 ft · 23 sec · Midland Trail
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7
Continue on Aerospace Highway
20 mi · 23 min · Aerospace Highway
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto Sierra Highway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Sierra Highway
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9
Continue on Aerospace Highway
15.7 mi · 17 min · Aerospace Highway
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10
Continue on Antelope Valley Freeway
48.2 mi · 53 min · Antelope Valley Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Antelope Valley Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Antelope Valley Freeway
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12
Keep slight left
2606 ft · 36 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Golden State Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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15
Keep slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
2508 ft · 33 sec
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17
Continue on Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi · 21 min · Hollywood Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
636 ft · 17 sec
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19
Continue on West Aliso Street
125 m · 18 sec · West Aliso Street
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20
Turn right onto North Spring Street
1455 ft · 36 sec · North Spring Street
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21
Turn left onto West 1st Street
108 m · 14 sec · West 1st Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ridgecrest 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.
Antelope Valley Freeway
Continue on Antelope Valley Freeway
48.2 mi · 00h 53m
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.
Sunny leaving Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest to Los Angeles?
The road trip is about 156 miles (251.1 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?
Rosamond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.2 miles from Ridgecrest and 79.8 miles from Los Angeles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.3 miles (182.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.7 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 1:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.79 one way or $63.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ridgecrest and Mostly Sunny near Los Angeles.
Stop Ideas Near Rosamond
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rosamond.
Lancaster, California
Mojave, California
Palmdale (Amtrak Thruway), California
Tehachapi, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ridgecrest and Los Angeles. Straight-line distance: 113.25 mi (182.26 km).
#1 Ridgecrest
City in California
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 35.6224600, -117.6709000 |
| Altitude | 698 |
| 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: 251 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $31.79 | $63.57 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $33.42 | $66.85 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $34.40 | $68.80 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $41.69 | $83.39 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.