There are two ways to get there.One is I-8 to San Diego, then I-5 to Los Angeles.The other is I-8 to El Centro, Ca 86/111 to Indio, and I-10 to Los Angeles.During my truck driving days we always used the second route because it avoided crossing the mountains between Ocotillo and La Mesa. There are several miles of a hard, steep grade. Both ways will take 4 - 4 1/2 hours roughly.
If you are driving on I-8 from Yuma to San Diego and then on to LA, I would recommend you stop and stretch your legs for five minutes every hour. It keeps you alert. The drive is super-interstate freeway all the way. The only challenge is going out of Ocotillo up into the mountains of CA towards Campo. Make sure your car is full of coolant and your oil is right.Otherwise it is an easy shot. Hit LA about 10:30 am. I ve been watching the traffic cams and that seems like the right time.
-Watch out for CHP. Tickets are expensive.-Stops? Maybe one in San Diego area.-It s not really hard. It s like the LA to Vegas run. A lot of desert, and not much else. At least when you get closer to San Diego, the drive gets interesting.