Trip from Brentwood, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Drive Time

6h 28m

Distance

343.5 mi

553 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$80

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 16m ★

6 AM

6h 29m

8 AM

6h 53m

10 AM

6h 37m

12 PM

6h 35m

3 PM

6h 38m

5 PM

6h 52m

8 PM

6h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Brentwood, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

Driving from Brentwood to Los Angeles covers 343.5 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 28 minutes. This route is designed as a straightforward one-day trip, making it an efficient way to travel between these Pacific Coast locations. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to complete the journey. Because the drive is primarily focused on major highways, it is a practical choice if you want to reach your destination without unnecessary detours. While you could break the trip up, most travelers will find it manageable to finish in a single day.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

171.7 miles from Brentwood, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 95% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck route, and the Hollywood Freeway. The most significant portion of your journey is a 224.4-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for the majority of your time behind the wheel. Prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace rather than a winding backroad adventure. Once you transition into the final segments of the drive, the character of the road shifts as you navigate the approach into the Los Angeles metro area.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 26 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 224.4 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 early in the drive near Oak Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 343.5 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: near the start (Oak Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 320.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 326.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Oak Street

Turn left onto Oak Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

320.7 mi into trip | ~5h 59m 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

326.3 mi into trip | ~6h 5m 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

342.9 mi into trip | ~6h 27m 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

343.1 mi into trip | ~6h 27m in | North Spring Street

Turn right onto North Spring Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Westside Freeway	224.4 mi	4h
I 5 Truck	63.9 mi	1h 13m
Hollywood Freeway	16.2 mi	20m
William Elton Brown Freeway	14 mi	15m
Byron Highway	8.1 mi	12m
Golden State Freeway	4.1 mi	4m
Brentwood Boulevard	3.7 mi	5m
Mountain House Parkway	3.4 mi	6m

Longest stretch: Westside Freeway — 224.4 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brentwood, CA and Los Angeles, CA.

Start on Brentwood Boulevard

66 ft · 8 sec · Brentwood Boulevard

Turn left onto Oak Street

97 ft · 9 sec · Oak Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left

305 ft · 23 sec

Turn right onto Brentwood Boulevard

3.7 mi · 5 min · Brentwood Boulevard

Continue on Byron Highway

1.4 mi · 2 min · Byron Highway

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto J4

6.7 mi · 10 min · Byron Highway

Continue on J4

1.5 mi · 2 min · Byron-Bethany Road

Continue on J4

1.8 mi · 2 min · Byron Road

Turn right onto Mountain House Parkway

2.7 mi · 4 min · Mountain House Parkway

Use the none lane.

Continue on International Parkway

1.0 mi · 1 min · International Parkway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Mountain House Parkway

0.8 mi · 1 min · Mountain House Parkway

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Merge onto I 580

8.1 mi · 8 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 580

5.9 mi · 6 min · William Elton Brown Freeway

Merge onto I 5

224 mi · 4 hr · Westside Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

4.1 mi · 4 min · Golden State Freeway

Use the none lane.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck

5.3 mi · 6 min · I 5 Truck

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 32 sec

Exit 153B Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on CA 170

16 mi · 20 min · Hollywood Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Exit 2C Toward Broadway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on West Aliso Street

409 ft · 18 sec · West Aliso Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto North Spring Street

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North Spring Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto West 1st Street

354 ft · 12 sec · West 1st Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

West 1st Street

Trip Plan

Planning for this 343.5-mile trip requires a clear strategy regarding your stops, as you should limit yourself to just one primary break to maintain your schedule. Since fuel costs hover around $47, check your tank levels before hitting the long 224.4-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway to avoid unnecessary stress. Aim to depart early in the day to navigate the final highway segments before peak traffic intensifies. Keep your itinerary flexible, as the heavy reliance on interstates means that road conditions can change quickly. Prioritize your single stop at a point that allows you to stretch your legs before the final push into Los Angeles.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 171.7 miles from Brentwood, CA, or about 3h 14m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 171.7 miles or 3h 14m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 16m

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 Brentwood, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Brentwood, CA

This is one driving day of about 343.5 miles and 6h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brentwood, CA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 224.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 171.7 mi from Brentwood, CA · 3h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bakersfield, CA

172 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Bakersfield, CA to Los Angeles, CA

111.9 mi · 2h 11m

Pacing Suggestions

Turlock, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fresno, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 171.7 miles from Brentwood, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.4 miles.

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.

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

$79.55 one way

$159.09 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 120 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$82.03	$164.07
premium	$6.24	$84.43	$168.86
diesel	$5.64	$76.31	$152.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$80

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$105–$130

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 120.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	103.1	1	$36.07	$16.49
Efficient EV	85.9	0	$30.06	$13.74
EV Truck/SUV	137.4	1	$48.09	$21.98

Gas CO2

120 kg

EV CO2

40 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Brentwood, CA

Afternoon in Brentwood on Sunday

Local time

4:26 PM

PDT

Current temp

Unavailable

Destination

Los Angeles, CA

Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday

Local time

4:26 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.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Road read

6h 28m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Brentwood, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 343.5 miles and takes about 6h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Hollywood Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 171.7 miles from Brentwood, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $79.55 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from Brentwood, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Brentwood, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Los Angeles, CA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Brentwood, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Same local time

6h 28m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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