Route 138 from Route 5 near Gorman to Route 15 near Cajon Pass. [CS&HC Sec. 253.7]
From Route 5 to about one mile west. It is called the "Metropolitan Bypass Freeway", and it isn't much of one.
Route 138 from Route 2 near Wrightwood to Route 18 near Mt. Anderson. [CS&HC Sec. 263.7]
The most important one on Route 138 is the Antelope Valley California Poppy State Reserve. The California poppy was designated as the official state flower on April 6, 1903. The reserve is located on California's most consistent poppy-bearing land. Other wildflowers include the owl's clover, lupine, goldfield, cream cups, and coreopsis. The intensity and duration of the wildflower bloom varies yearly. The visitors' center hosts numerous exhibits, historical artifacts, and guided tours. Hiking and picnicking is allowed. To access it from Route 138, head south on 170th Street West. For more information, call (661)724-1180.
Another point of interest is the Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park. Donated to the State by Arthur "Archie" Ripley, the park protects and preserves an impressive stand of native Joshuas and junipers which once grew in great abundance throughout the valley. Hiking trails are available, but there are no other facilities. To reach it, head south on 210th Street West. For more information, call (661)942-0662.
Here's something from concerned highway enthusiast Chantel Cagle:
"I was wondering why you don't have HWY 138 listed because it is known as the deathtrap HWY here in the High Desert. I learned that a few days ago and I feel that people on the internet that are planning a trip need to be aware of the dangers of this road. I am one of the lucky ones. I survived a double roll-over at 65mph while at the same time a fatal accident was occuring a few miles down... Please mention 138 which goes through Palmdale on the website to help keep fatalities down."
Unfortunately, there's a lot of truth to that. A marked increase in traffic bypassing Los Angeles has created serious hazards along this two-lane route between Routes 14 and 15. According to California State Senator William J. "Pete" Knight, "Caltrans reported that collisions on Highway 138 have resulted in abnormally high fatalities" and that "recent statistics from the California Highway Patrol indicate that from 1996 to 2001, 2164 collisions occurred on Highway 138, resulting in 71 deaths." There is good news: According to a Las Vegas Review-Journal article, "The California Department of Transportation recently completed its study of a proposed six-lane highway, dubbed the High Desert Corridor, to link Palmdale and Victorville. By facilitating travel between Interstate 15 and Interstate 5, the $1.5 billion project would help alleviate congestion on Interstate 15, which is a major concern to area tourism officials." To help, Knight is promoting Senate Bill 138, which allows private entities to build a toll road along the High Desert Corridor, which Route 138 closely parallels. For more information, read his op-ed piece.
In the meantime, please be extremely cautious. Do not pass slow vehicles to the right, and only pass them to the left at designated points along the route.