Driving Route: Albuquerque to Los Angeles

Distance: ~880 miles (1,415 km).
Drive time: 13–14 hours (no stops).
Realistic: 2 days (7–8 hr/day) or long day with 2 drivers.

Recommended Route (I-40 → I-15)

1. I-40 W Albuquerque → Flagstaff, AZ (323 mi, 4h 45m)
2. I-40 W Flagstaff → Kingman, AZ (145 mi, 2h 15m)
3. I-40 W Kingman → Barstow, CA (165 mi, 2h 30m) — cross Colorado River at Topock/Needles
4. I-15 S Barstow → Victorville → San Bernardino (70 mi, 1h 15m)
5. I-215 S / I-10 W San Bernardino → LA (60 mi, 1h–1h 30m depending on traffic)

Alternative: Historic Route 66 (Kingman to Barstow)

I-40 exit 48 (Kingman) → Oatman (ghost town, burros) → Sitgreaves Pass (steep, narrow) → Needles, CA → US-66 / I-40 to Barstow. Adds 1–1.5 hr; scenic, nostalgic. Not for RVs/trailers.

Key Stops

• Petrified Forest NP (AZ)
• Meteor Crater (Winslow, AZ)
• Flagstaff (Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, Lowell Obs.)
• Kingman (Route 66 Museum, Hoo Dam 45 min N)
• Barstow (Outlet mall, Calico Ghost Town)
• Ontario Mills (shopping) before LA

Traffic Alert

LA basin (I-10, I-215, I-15, US-101) — severe congestion 6–9 AM / 3–7 PM. Use Waze/Google Maps real-time. Consider Metrolink from San Bernardino if continuing to downtown.