Origin
Anderson, CA
Afternoon in Anderson on Sunday
Local time
2:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anderson, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
9h 43m
Distance
532 mi
856 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$123
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 35m
★
6 AM
9h 44m
8 AM
10h 1m
10 AM
9h 50m
12 PM
9h 48m
3 PM
9h 51m
5 PM
10h 0m
8 PM
9h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anderson, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Anderson to Los Angeles covers a substantial 532-mile stretch across the Pacific Coast region. With a total driving time of 9 hours and 43 minutes, attempting this in a single day is an endurance test that many travelers prefer to split into two days. You should budget approximately $123 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the Cascade Wonderland Highway to navigate south. Because the drive demands nearly ten hours of focus, planning for an overnight stay will keep you fresh and make the experience far more manageable than a grueling nonstop push.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
266 miles from Anderson, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient journey, as 96% of this trip is spent on highways. The road's personality is defined by a significant, long-distance interstate grind rather than winding local roads. You will settle in for a massive 424.9-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, which serves as the backbone of your travel. This setup allows for consistent speeds, though it results in a more utilitarian driving experience compared to scenic backroads. While the highway percentage ensures you make steady progress toward your destination, be prepared for the repetitive rhythm that comes with such an extended run on major interstates.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 424.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 509.2 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 532 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 509.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 514.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 531.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
509.2 mi into trip
|
~9h 14m in
|
I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
7
514.8 mi into trip
|
~9h 20m in
Take the exit toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
7
531.4 mi into trip
|
~9h 42m in
Take the exit toward Broadway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
7
531.6 mi into trip
|
~9h 42m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
531.9 mi into trip
|
~9h 43m in
|
West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 424.9 mi | 7h 38m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Cascade Wonderland Highway | 20.2 mi | 21m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| CA 273 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| North Spring Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Aliso Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 424.9 mi, about 7h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anderson, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on CA 273; US 99 Hist
58 ft
·
9 sec
·
CA 273; US 99 Hist
2
Continue on CA 273; US 99 Hist
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
CA 273; US 99 Hist
3
Merge onto I 5
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Cascade Wonderland Highway
4
Continue on I 5
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Westside Freeway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 158
Toward I 405 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 532-mile trek effectively, consider breaking your trip into two segments to avoid fatigue. Since you are looking at nearly ten hours of road time, aim to pace yourself with at least two planned stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Start your journey early in the morning to beat potential traffic congestion as you approach the Los Angeles metropolitan area later in the day. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $123 cost estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current regional prices. Prioritizing these stops along the Westside Freeway will help you maintain your energy levels throughout the long southern push.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 266 miles from Anderson, CA, or about 4h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 424.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 117 miles or 2h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 266 miles or 4h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 266 miles or 4h 49m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anderson, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anderson, CA
Aim for roughly 266 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 266 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 117 miles from Anderson, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 424.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 266 mi from Anderson, CA · 4h 49m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
176 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
351 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Bakersfield, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
266 mi · about 4.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near Turlock, CA after about 266 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 117 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 266 miles from Anderson, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 424.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 266 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.
Arriving in Los Angeles, CA
The final approach into Los Angeles, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Los Angeles, CA.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Los Angeles, CA with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$123.20 one way
$246.40 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
186 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $127.05 | $254.10 |
| premium | $6.24 | $130.76 | $261.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $118.19 | $236.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$123
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$253–$363
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 186.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 159.6 | 1 | $55.86 | $25.54 |
| Efficient EV | 133 | 1 | $46.55 | $21.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 212.8 | 2 | $74.48 | $34.05 |
Gas CO2
186 kg
EV CO2
62 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
2:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
28 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 43m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Anderson, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 532 miles and takes about 9h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Cascade Wonderland Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 266 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 266 miles from Anderson, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $123.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 532 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 509.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 514.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 531.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Anderson, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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