Highway 138 to Palmdale Calif?

Took 138 from 15 to a motocross track just before Palmdale. Road seemed ok for the most part, was patches of rough here and there but was fine.

I'd drive it again without any concern at all.

We drive that portion ("Pearblossom Highway") at the end of any trip from the north (Vegas, Utah, etc.) until we get to the 14. That road can be really tough at the end of a long drive, because those big dips rock you like a baby in a cradle.

On one trip we started in Dillon, MT and drove all the way home to Santa Clarita (1,050 miles). That last leg on Pearblossom was brutal. It's a great road, unless you're even slightly drowsy.

Thanks for the replies. We ended up leaving palm springs at 1:30 am and missing most traffic on I--10. We stopped at rest area just past the grapevine and slept 3 hours then kept going. Worked great!

Off of the 15 you will have a bit of a hill until you get up to Hwy. 2 after that it is good. Hwy. 2 goes up to Wrightwood.

Let the FOOLS pass and pay attention to the FOOLS coming from opposite direction


Avoid driving it at dusk, dawn or night....
Called 'Bloody Alley' & 'Death Trap Highway' for a reason

The widening construction is a direct result of the fatalities in hopes of lowering those numbers.

Once you get up by palmdale you can continue on 14 back toward Santa Clarita, or you can run up 395 (which I use every year) toward Mammoth Lakes or perhaps Death Valley.

Last summer there was some construction going on and they were widening 138 from Mountain Top Junction north for 10-15 miles. It is suppose to be finished by now but check the CA DOT site.

138 is/was not a problem for an RV but if you drive below the speed limit by even 1 mph, you will have a long line of irritated drivers behind you. Just stay with the flow and you will be fine.

If you are trying to go past Palmdale on I-14 or to continue on 138 to I-5 (what we do mostly) you can avoid the Palmdale street traffic by turning south to 14 at the junction with the Pearblossom Highway just as you get to Palmdale.

Most of the way it's a typical desert road one lane in each direction. Through Palmdale/Lancaster it gets a little tough because the road ends at Hwy 14 and then picks up again a little further north. Plus the traffic in that area can be stop and go depending on the time of day.

From Palmdale/Lancaster to I-5 it's not bad. However, two times I have had to wait for livestock to cross the road. Cowboys & Cowgirls were herding from one location to another.

Some wind is possible. Not real hilly or curvy for the most part. I wouldn't do it at night.

Passing vehicles can be tough so watch out for them.