Best Way to Drive to Big Bear: Highway 38 vs 330 vs 18

If you're driving to Big Bear Lake, the “best” route depends on weather, traffic, and your comfort level on mountain roads.

Here’s the honest breakdown:

• ✔️ Fastest in clear weather: Highway 330 → 18
• ✔️ More gradual climb: Highway 38
• ✔️ Best from the High Desert: Highway 18 via Lucerne Valley

But each route has important tradeoffs.

Whether you’re driving from Los Angeles, San Diego, or the desert, here’s how to get to Big Bear safely and efficiently.

Highway 330 → Highway 18 (Fastest & Scenic Rim Route)

Best for: Most visitors from Los Angeles and Orange County

Drive time: 2–2.5 hours (without heavy traffic)

Route:
I-210 East → Highway 330 North → Highway 18 East → Big Bear

This is the most popular route — and the quickest.

It’s also part of the famous Rim of the World drive, offering dramatic mountain views and winding forest roads.

Pros

• Fastest overall
• Well maintained
• Beautiful cliffside scenery
• Most direct climb

Cons

• Steeper grades than 38
• Tight curves
• Heavy weekend congestion
• Backups during chain control

When roads are dry, this is usually the best choice.

During snowstorms, however, accidents and chain checks can quickly create long delays.

Highway 38 (Longer but More Gradual Climb)

Best for: Drivers who prefer a slower, more gradual ascent

Drive time: 2.5–3+ hours

Route:
I-10 East → Highway 38 North (Mentone) → Onyx Summit → Big Bear

Highway 38 climbs through the San Gorgonio Wilderness area and reaches higher elevations than 330 before descending into Big Bear.

The Major Downside

It takes longer. Sometimes significantly longer.

If you're trying to get up quickly before traffic builds, 38 is not the fastest option.

Snow & Ice Considerations

Highway 38 tends to receive more snow because it runs closer to the San Gorgonio peaks.

That means:

• More accumulation during storms
• More icy patches in shaded sections
• Slower melt compared to sunnier slopes

Even when snow isn’t actively falling, shaded corners can stay icy.

Mudslide Risk (Recent Example)

38 is also more prone to mudslides.

This winter, a major storm caused a significant road slide that wiped out a portion of the highway. The road was closed for months and only recently reopened with limited access times (currently only open on the weekends).

That’s something many visitors don’t realize — 38 can close for reasons other than snow.

When 38 Makes Sense

• You want a more gradual climb
• 330 is heavily congested
• You’re comfortable with a longer drive
• You’re monitoring weather closely

But it’s not automatically “safer.” It simply feels less steep.

Highway 18 via Lucerne Valley (High Desert Route)

Best for: Victorville, Apple Valley, Barstow, Las Vegas

Drive time: About 1.5 hours from Victorville

Route:
Highway 18 West → Lucerne Valley → Big Bear City

This approach avoids the busy San Bernardino side entirely.

Pros

• Typically less traffic
• Wide open desert views
• Fewer tight switchbacks early on
• On mountain road for less time

Cons

• Wind exposure
• Steeper final climb near Big Bear
• Icy conditions near the summit in winter

This is often the calmest drive — but still requires caution in snowy conditions.

Which Route Is Safest in Snow?

There is no single “safest” highway.

Generally:

• 38 has a more gradual grade but more snow exposure
• 330 has steeper sections but strong maintenance and frequent plowing
• 18 can experience wind and icy conditions

Safety depends more on:

• Storm timing
• Chain control status
• Time of day
• Shaded vs sunny sections

Always carry chains between November and April, even if not required at the moment.

Which Route Has the Least Traffic?

Friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons:

• 330 backs up first because it’s the most direct.
• 38 can sometimes move more steadily — but remember, it’s longer to begin with.

Holiday weekends:

• Expect delays on all routes.

Final Recommendation

If roads are dry and clear → Highway 330 → 18 is usually the best balance of speed and scenery.

If 330 is heavily backed up → Highway 38 may offer a steadier, more gradual climb — but expect a longer drive.

If coming from the High Desert → Highway 18 via Lucerne Valley is often the simplest option.