Endeavour's last ride

The Endeavour's terrestrial journey began before dawn Friday when it departed from the Los Angeles International Airport, rolling on a 160-wheeled carrier past diamond-shaped "Shuttle Xing" signs.

Hundreds of camera-toting spectators gaped as the 170,000-pound Endeavour inched by with its tail towering over streetlights and its wings spanning the roadway.

Over two days, it will trundle 12 miles at a top speed of 2 mph to its final destination — the California Science Center where it will be the centerpiece of a new exhibit.

Section:Gallery

Sat., Oct. 13, 2012

Spectators gather to watch the space shuttle Endeavour outside of Randy's Donuts as it waits to cross the 405 freeway in Inglewood, Calif., Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. Endeavour's 12-mile road trip kicked off shortly before midnight Thursday as it moved from its Los Angeles International Airport hangar en route to the California Science Center.

Patrick Fallon Fr160581 Ap
A crane lifts up cables enabling the space shuttle Endeavour to pass as it is pulled by a Toyota Tundra pickup truck across the 405 freeway in Inglewood, Calif., Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. Endeavour's 12-mile road trip kicked off shortly before midnight Thursday as it moved from its Los Angeles International Airport hangar en route to the California Science Center.

Patrick Fallon Fr160581 Ap
In this image provided by NASA the space shuttle Endeavour is seen atop the Over Land Transporter vehicle after exiting the Los Angeles International Airport on its way to its new home at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. Endeavour, built as a replacement for space shuttle Challenger, completed 25 missions, spent 299 days in orbit, and orbited Earth 4,671 times while traveling 122,883,151 miles. Beginning Oct. 30, the shuttle will be on display in the CSC's Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion, embarking on its new mission to commemorate past achievements in space and educate and inspire future generations of explorers.

Bill Ingalls Nasa
Spectators take pictures as the space shuttle Endeavour is pulled by a Toyota Tundra pickup truck on its way across the 405 freeway in Inglewood, Calif., Friday, Oct. 12, 2012.

Patrick Fallon Fr160581 Ap
Space Shuttle Endeavour on route from Westchester square to Randy's Donuts.

Joe Klamar Afp Pool
Space Shuttle Endeavour is seen reflected in a window on route from Westchester square to Randy's Donuts during its final ground journey in Los Angeles, California on October 12,2012.

Joe Klamar Afp Pool
The Space Shuttle Endeavour is slowly moved across Interstate 405 by a Toyota Tundra.

Mark Terrill Associated Press
The Space Shuttle Endeavour is slowly moved across Interstate 405 by a Toyota Tundra, Friday night in in Los Angeles.

Mark Terrill Associated Press
Space Shuttle Endeavour makes it's way down Manchester Blvd in Inglewood, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. The Endeavour's terrestrial journey began before dawn Friday when it departed from the Los Angeles International Airport, rolling on a 160-wheeled carrier past diamond-shaped "Shuttle Xing" signs. Over two days, it will trundle 12 miles (19 kilometers) at a top speed of 2 mph (3 kph) to its final destination, the California Science Center where it will be the centerpiece of a new exhibit.

Jeff Gritchen Pool, Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Space Shuttle Endeavour makes it's way down Manchester Blvd in Inglewood, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. The Endeavour's terrestrial journey began before dawn Friday when it departed from the Los Angeles International Airport, rolling on a 160-wheeled carrier past diamond-shaped "Shuttle Xing" signs. Over two days, it will trundle 12 miles (19 kilometers) at a top speed of 2 mph (3 kph) to its final destination, the California Science Center where it will be the centerpiece of a new exhibit.

Jeff Gritchen Pool, Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Two workers pause as Space Shuttle Endeavour makes it's way down Manchester Blvd in Inglewood, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. The Endeavour's terrestrial journey began before dawn Friday when it departed from the Los Angeles International Airport, rolling on a 160-wheeled carrier past diamond-shaped "Shuttle Xing" signs. Over two days, it will trundle 12 miles (19 kilometers) at a top speed of 2 mph (3 kph) to its final destination, the California Science Center where it will be the centerpiece of a new exhibit.

Jeff Gritchen Pool, Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Space Shuttle Endeavour makes it's way down Manchester Blvd, as spectators take photographs, in Inglewood, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. The Endeavour's terrestrial journey began before dawn Friday when it departed from the Los Angeles International Airport, rolling on a 160-wheeled carrier past diamond-shaped "Shuttle Xing" signs. Over two days, it will trundle 12 miles (19 kilometers) at a top speed of 2 mph (3 kph) to its final destination, the California Science Center where it will be the centerpiece of a new exhibit.

Jeff Gritchen Pool, Los Angeles Newspaper Group