Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes: drive time, shuttles and winter driving

Mammoth Lakes is about 318 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), roughly 5 hr 10 min by car without traffic or snow via CA-14 and US-395. From downtown Los Angeles it's about 314 miles (5 hr 5 min). Allow extra time on weekend mornings and storm days.

Drive times are estimates from OpenStreetMap routing, without traffic or snow. Snow forecast updated Nov 8, 2026 at 12:08 PM MT.

From LAX airport: 5 hr 10 min; 318 miles
From downtown Los Angeles: 5 hr 5 min; 314 miles
Snow next 7 days: 0.0"; Mammoth Mountain
Main route: CA-14 and US-395

The route

I-5 north to CA-14, the Antelope Valley Freeway, through Palmdale, Lancaster and Mojave to US-395 near Inyokern. Then US-395 north through Lone Pine, Independence and Bishop, up the Sherwin Grade past Crowley Lake, and west on CA-203 into Mammoth Lakes.

Ways to get from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes

Drive yourself

The most flexible option, and the only way to chase the best snow day by day. In winter, rent an AWD or 4WD vehicle with good tires.

Compare 4x4 rentals at LAX

Eastern Sierra Transit 395 Lancaster

Daily bus between Lancaster's Metrolink station and Mammoth Lakes, stopping in Mojave, Inyokern, Lone Pine and Bishop. Northbound leaves Lancaster at 2:00 pm and reaches Mammoth at 7:00 pm; $39 one way, as listed.

Schedules and fares ↗

Eastern Sierra Transit Airport Flyer

$10 a seat from Bishop (BIH) or Mammoth Yosemite (MMH) airport to Mammoth Lakes, timed to flights. Reserve ahead.

Schedules and fares ↗

Fly closer

Mammoth Yosemite (MMH): Advanced Air, a public charter, flies from Hawthorne (HHR) in LA and Carlsbad four days a week (Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Monday), November 25, 2026 to April 26, 2027.
Eastern Sierra Regional, Bishop (BIH): United flies from San Francisco and Denver, daily from December 17, 2026 to March 27, 2027.

Compare flights to MMH ↗

Winter driving: what to know

California chain controls: R-1 means chains unless you have snow tires on at least two drive wheels; R-2 means chains unless you have 4WD/AWD with snow tires on all four; R-3 means chains on every vehicle. 4WD and AWD drivers still have to carry chains.
Visit Mammoth warns that trips from November through April can mean snowstorms, chain controls and fast-changing roads.
The trans-Sierra passes close for winter, including Tioga Pass (CA-120 W at Lee Vining) and Sonora Pass (CA-108). CA-203 past Mammoth Mountain toward Devils Postpile also closes.

More tips in our guide to winter driving to ski resorts.

Tip: The Lancaster bus meets Metrolink, so you can get from LA to Mammoth by train and bus without a car.

Book your Mammoth Lakes trip

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Mammoth Mountain snow forecast Where to stay in Mammoth Mountain Ski resorts near Los Angeles

Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes FAQ

How long is the drive from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes?

Is there a shuttle or bus from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes?

Yes. Eastern Sierra Transit 395 Lancaster: Daily bus between Lancaster's Metrolink station and Mammoth Lakes, stopping in Mojave, Inyokern, Lone Pine and Bishop. Northbound leaves Lancaster at 2:00 pm and reaches Mammoth at 7:00 pm; $39 one way, as listed. Eastern Sierra Transit Airport Flyer: $10 a seat from Bishop (BIH) or Mammoth Yosemite (MMH) airport to Mammoth Lakes, timed to flights. Reserve ahead. Check each operator for current schedules and fares.

Do I need snow tires or chains to drive to Mammoth Lakes?

California chain controls: R-1 means chains unless you have snow tires on at least two drive wheels; R-2 means chains unless you have 4WD/AWD with snow tires on all four; R-3 means chains on every vehicle. 4WD and AWD drivers still have to carry chains.

Can I fly closer to Mammoth Lakes?

Mammoth Yosemite (MMH): Advanced Air, a public charter, flies from Hawthorne (HHR) in LA and Carlsbad four days a week (Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Monday), November 25, 2026 to April 26, 2027. Eastern Sierra Regional, Bishop (BIH): United flies from San Francisco and Denver, daily from December 17, 2026 to March 27, 2027.

How much snow is Mammoth Lakes getting this week?

As of November 8, 2026, Mammoth Mountain has 0.0" of snow forecast over the next 7 days.

Sources

All ski trip routes