The drive from LA to Palm Springs is one of Southern California’s most satisfying road trips. Two hours, 107 toll-free miles, and enough worthwhile stops along the way, citrus groves, roadside dinosaurs, date farms, to make the journey as good as the destination.
This guide covers the best stops and detours between LA and Palm Springs. When you arrive, Apek Rentals has pool homes, mid-century classics, and mountain-view retreats waiting, backed by 7 years of hosting and 15,000+ happy stays.
How Long Is the Drive From LA to Palm Springs
The direct route is 107 miles and takes roughly 2 hours in light traffic. Plan for 3 to 4 hours if you intend to stop along the way. The entire drive is toll free via I-10 East.
The best departure window is between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, avoiding both rush hours. Avoid Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings when weekend traffic peaks in both directions.
October through April is the most comfortable season, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Summer heat regularly exceeds 110 degrees, and the first rains of the season can slick the freeway, so drive accordingly.
Best Stops From LA to Palm Springs
These are the stops that consistently earn a place in every good itinerary. They are clustered along the I-10 corridor, which makes it easy to pick two or three that match your interests without adding more than an hour to the overall drive from LA to Palm Springs.
California Citrus State Historic Park
Hidden off Highway 91 in Riverside, this family-friendly park is a living museum of California’s citrus boom. You can walk the groves, join a guided tour at 11 AM or 2 PM, and often sample fresh oranges and lemons picked on site.
The whole visit works well in about an hour, which fits neatly into a mid-morning stop before pushing on east.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (1,379 Google reviews)
- Address: 9400 Dufferin Ave, Riverside, CA 92503
- Category: State park
- Website: parks.ca.gov
- What to do: Join a guided tour, picnic in the groves, and snap photos among the citrus trees
Learn more about California Citrus State Historic Park
UC Riverside Botanic Gardens
For a quieter detour, the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens sit on the university’s hillside with 40 acres of plants from around the world. The trails are short, the views over the valley are excellent, and weekday mornings are often nearly empty.
Parking is the only real fee, which makes this one of the best-value stops on the drive from LA to Palm Springs.
- Rating: 4.8 stars (1,248 Google reviews)
- Address: 1 Botanic Gardens Dr, Riverside, CA 92507
- Category: Botanical garden
- Website: gardens.ucr.edu
- What to do: Easy hillside loop trails, photo walks, and picnics among international plant collections
Learn more about UC Riverside Botanic Gardens
The Cabazon Cluster: Shopping, Casinos, and Giant Dinosaurs
About 20 miles before you reach Palm Springs, the Cabazon area packs a surprising amount of roadside fun into one quick exit off I-10. You can hit all three of these in under two hours, or cherry-pick the one that suits your trip.
Cabazon Dinosaurs
The giant roadside dinosaurs have been staring down I-10 traffic since the 1970s, and they are still one of the most photographed landmarks on the drive from LA to Palm Springs.
You can snap a photo from the parking lot for free, or pay to walk inside Dinny, the long-necked Apatosaurus that houses a small gift shop, and explore the dinosaur garden behind it.
- Rating: 4.5 stars (10,074 Google reviews)
- Address: 50770 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230
- Category: Roadside attraction and theme park
- Website: cabazondinosaurs.com
- What to do: Quick photo stop, gift shop browse, or the full walk-through dinosaur garden
Learn more about Cabazon Dinosaurs
Desert Hills Premium Outlets
Across the freeway from the dinosaurs, Desert Hills is the largest outlet mall in Southern California and a genuine tourist destination in its own right. More than 180 stores span designer names and mainstream brands, and the open-air layout makes it comfortable to browse on cooler days.
If shopping is on your agenda, budget at least two hours, because you will need it.
- Rating: 4.5 stars (11,703 Google reviews)
- Address: 48400 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230
- Category: Outlet mall
- Website: premiumoutlets.com/outlet/desert-hills
- What to do: Designer shopping, food court break, and picking up last-minute travel essentials
Learn more about Desert Hills Premium Outlets
Hadley Fruit Orchards
Right next door, Hadley Fruit Orchards is a California classic that has been selling dried fruit, nuts, and date shakes since 1931. Pull in for a quick date shake even if you are not in the mood to shop, and add a bag of mixed trail mix for the last leg of the drive. It is easy in, easy out, and a tradition for many Palm Springs regulars.
- Rating: 4.5 stars (3,528 Google reviews)
- Address: 47993 Morongo Trail #101, Cabazon, CA 92230
- Category: Fruit and vegetable store
- Website: hadleyfruitorchards.com
- What to try: Date shake, trail mix, dried apricots, and local honey
Learn more about Hadley Fruit Orchards
Sample One-Day Itinerary for the Drive From LA to Palm Springs
If you want an easy template, here is a relaxed, one-way itinerary that turns the drive from LA to Palm Springs into a full-day adventure without running you ragged.
- 8:30 AM: Leave Los Angeles with a full tank of gas and coffee in hand
- 10:00 AM: Stretch and photo stop at the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in Riverside
- 11:15 AM: Quick visit to California Citrus State Historic Park or UC Riverside Botanic Gardens
- 12:30 PM: Lunch break at Hadley Fruit Orchards with a date shake for the road
- 1:30 PM: Photo stop at the Cabazon Dinosaurs and a browse through Desert Hills Premium Outlets if shopping is your thing
- 3:30 PM: Date shake and photo walk at Shields Date Garden in Indio
- 4:30 PM: Check into your Palm Springs vacation rental, unpack, and catch sunset from the pool
- 7:00 PM: Casual dinner at Sherman’s Deli or stroll Palm Canyon Drive for more options
You can easily swap stops in and out. Families with kids tend to prioritize the dinosaurs and the Tramway, shoppers stretch the day around Desert Hills, and hikers push on to Tahquitz Canyon or Indian Canyons in the cooler afternoon hours.
Tips for a Smooth Drive From LA to Palm Springs
A few small things make the trip noticeably better:
- Top up on fuel before the outlets. Gas is generally cheaper in the LA basin than in the desert, so fill up before you leave town.
- Download offline maps. Cell coverage is fine along I-10, but a few side roads in Oak Glen and around Indian Canyons are patchy.
- Carry water. Even on cool days, the desert air pulls moisture out of you fast, especially during hikes.
- Use carpool lanes when eligible. They shave serious time off the urban section of I-10 during peak hours.
- Consider EV charging stops. The I-10 corridor has reliable charging at Desert Hills and several Coachella Valley locations if you are driving electric.
- Check for construction. Caltrans occasionally runs overnight lane closures on I-10 near Banning and Beaumont, which is worth a quick check before you leave.
Plan Your Palm Springs Stay
The drive from LA to Palm Springs is short enough to do in one sitting and rich enough to turn into a full day of discoveries. Pick two or three stops that match your trip, leave early enough to beat the traffic, and roll into the valley ready for pool time, a great meal, and a big desert sky.
When you are ready to book your stay, explore our full collection of Palm Springs vacation rentals and handpicked desert homes across Southern California. With more than 15,000 happy stays behind us, we are here to make the whole trip, drive included, comfortable and worry free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the drive from LA to Palm Springs take?
The direct route from downtown Los Angeles to Palm Springs is about 107 miles on I-10 East and takes 1 hour 46 minutes to 2 hours in light traffic. With stops for sightseeing, lunch, and a few photo breaks, plan on 3 to 4 hours total. The route has no tolls.
What is the best time of day to drive from LA to Palm Springs?
The sweet spot is between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, which avoids both rush hours. Early morning departures before 7:00 AM and late evening departures after 7:00 PM also work. Friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons tend to be the slowest windows in both directions.
Is the drive from LA to Palm Springs scenic?
The first hour through greater LA and the Inland Empire is mostly urban and suburban, but the landscape changes dramatically once you pass Beaumont. From there you drop through the San Gorgonio Pass wind farms, then into the Coachella Valley with Mount San Jacinto on your right the whole way. The second half of the drive is the memorable part.
Are there any tolls between LA and Palm Springs?
No. The I-10 East route is entirely toll free. Some optional express lanes exist in certain sections closer to LA, but you can complete the trip without paying any tolls.
Is it worth stopping on the drive from LA to Palm Springs?
Yes. The stops between Los Angeles and Palm Springs are a big part of the appeal of driving rather than flying. The Cabazon Dinosaurs, Desert Hills Premium Outlets, Hadley Fruit Orchards, and the Mission Inn in Riverside are all easy detours that turn a transfer into a mini road trip.
What should I pack for the drive from LA to Palm Springs?
Water, snacks, sunglasses, and sunscreen cover the basics. Add a light jacket if you plan to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, since temperatures at the upper station are usually 30 degrees cooler than the valley floor. Comfortable walking shoes will serve you well at the outlets and on any of the canyon hikes.
