Palm Springs
Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0

LA to Palm Springs Road Trip

Under two hours without traffic, swapping the city for mid-century pools and the Aerial Tramway.

Distance
107 mi 172 km
Drive time
1 hr 45 min
Suggested
1 day
Gas, one way
~$14
Halfway
Colton, CA
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Route map

Start / endStopsHalfway

LA to Palm Springs: the drive

The drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs covers 107 miles (172 km) and takes about 1 hr 45 min without stops, mostly on I-10, CA-111 and US-99 Hist.

It's an easy drive that leaves plenty of time to explore along the way. Allow about 2 hr 15 min with breaks.

We found 1 worthwhile stop within about 25 miles of the route, including Cabazon Dinosaurs.

Main roadsApprox. miles
I-1076
CA-11111
US-99 Hist10

Best time to go: October to May.

Best stops between LA and Palm Springs

Near Palm Springs

  1. 1

    Cabazon Dinosaurs

    30–60 minOn the route

    Giant roadside dinosaurs off I-10 near Palm Springs, built in the 1960s and made famous by Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

    Cabazon Dinosaurs
    Photo: CityMorgue · CC BY-SA 4.0

Where to stay in Palm Springs

Mid-century modern design, the Aerial Tramway and an easy hop to Joshua Tree.

Map not loading? See places to stay near Palm Springs →

Renting a car for this trip

Most travelers fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and pick up a car there. If you're not driving back, compare one-way rentals that drop off at PSP. One-way fees vary a lot between companies.

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Rental cars at LAX

Compare prices from major and local agencies at Los Angeles International Airport in one search. Dropping off near Palm Springs? Search a one-way rental; drop fees vary a lot between companies, so compare first.

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Free cancellation on most bookings.

Trip cost calculator

Estimate gas or charging, hotels and car rental for a round trip from LA to Palm Springs:

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Default prices are rough averages for planning only. Check live rates with the hotel and car rental links on this page.

LA to Palm Springs road trip FAQ

How long is the drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs?

About 1 hr 45 min without stops for 107 miles via I-10, CA-111 and US-99 Hist. With breaks for fuel and food, allow around 2 hr 15 min.

What is the halfway point between LA and Palm Springs?

Colton, CA is about halfway, roughly 54 miles from each end. It's a good place for fuel and a meal.

Can you drive from LA to Palm Springs in one day?

Yes. At 1 hr 45 min of driving it's a comfortable one-day trip. Leave early so you arrive with daylight to spare.

What are the best stops between LA and Palm Springs?

Top stops include Cabazon Dinosaurs. See the full list with detour times above.

How much does gas cost from LA to Palm Springs?

About $14 one way in a car that gets 28 mpg with gas at $3.60 a gallon. Use the calculator on this page to plug in your own car and prices.

When is the best time to visit Palm Springs?

October to May.

Route calculated from OpenStreetMap data and checked 2026-11-09. Drive times assume normal traffic and no stops.

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