Origin
Burbank, CA
Afternoon in Burbank on Sunday
Local time
1:41 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Burbank, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
16m
Distance
11.5 mi
18 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 15m
★
6 AM
0h 17m
8 AM
0h 20m
10 AM
0h 18m
12 PM
0h 18m
3 PM
0h 18m
5 PM
0h 20m
8 PM
0h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Burbank, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling the 11.5 miles from Burbank to Los Angeles is a quick, straightforward trip that typically takes about 16 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is such a short journey within the Pacific Coast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via the Golden State Freeway, North Broadway, and the Arroyo Seco Parkway. With a fuel cost estimate of just $2, the drive is incredibly budget-friendly for any local commute or quick visit. You do not need to worry about overnight logistics for this transit, as it functions best as a direct, efficient link between the two cities. Whether you are heading into the heart of the city for work or leisure, this route provides a practical connection that gets you to your destination in under twenty minutes.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
5.7 miles from Burbank, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 73% of this route is spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Golden State Freeway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 7.7 miles. The transition from the freeway onto North Broadway and the Arroyo Seco Parkway marks a shift from high-speed driving to a more urban traffic flow. While the drive is relatively short, the personality of the road changes quickly from open lanes to a more integrated city street experience. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over scenic detours or complex road types.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Golden State Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and North Broadway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South First Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 11.5 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: at 0.1 miles (South First Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Verdugo Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: 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.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South First Street
Turn left onto South First Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Verdugo Avenue
Turn right onto East Verdugo Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
9
8.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CA 110 South: Arroyo Seco Parkway, Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
Exit 137B
Toward CA 110 South: Arroyo Seco Parkway, Los A...
8
10 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward Civic Center, Hill Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 24C
Toward Civic Center, Hill Street
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Burbank, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Civic Center along the way.
Civic Center
10 mi in
|
~13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Freeway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| North Broadway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Arroyo Seco Parkway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Hill Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Ikea Way | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Verdugo Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Front Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 7.7 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burbank, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on East Olive Avenue
517 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Olive Avenue
2
Turn left onto South First Street
432 ft
·
9 sec
·
South First Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Ikea Way
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Ikea Way
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto East Verdugo Avenue
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
East Verdugo Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on South Front Street
526 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Front Street
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 5 South: Los Angeles
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 5
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward CA 110 South: Arroyo Seco Parkway, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137B
Toward CA 110 South: Arroyo Seco Parkway, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
10
Merge onto CA 110; US 6 Hist; US 66 Hist
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
Arroyo Seco Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 24C
Toward Civic Center, Hill Street
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on this road
50 ft
·
1 sec
·
this road
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn slight right onto North Hill Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Hill Street
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto West College Street
404 ft
·
15 sec
·
West College Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto West 1st Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 11.5-mile trip, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, though checking local traffic conditions remains a smart habit. You will not need to plan for any stops, as the 16-minute duration is short enough to drive straight through without fatigue. If you are budget-conscious, the $2 fuel estimate makes this one of the most economical trips you can take in the state. Keep in mind that because the route relies heavily on major freeways, your travel time can fluctuate based on volume. A great tip for this specific drive is to monitor the Golden State Freeway conditions before you head out, as that 7.7-mile stretch is the most critical segment of your journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 5.7 miles from Burbank, CA, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.7 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 11.5 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.7 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 12m
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 Burbank, 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 Burbank, CA
This is one driving day of about 11.5 miles and 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Burbank, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 7.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.7 mi from Burbank, CA · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.7 miles from Burbank, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.66 one way
$5.33 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $2.75 | $5.49 |
| premium | $6.24 | $2.83 | $5.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.55 | $5.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.4 | 0 | $1.21 | $0.55 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.01 | $0.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.61 | $0.74 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
1:41 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.
Temperature spread
24 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
16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Burbank, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 11.5 miles and takes about 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Freeway, North Broadway, Arroyo Seco Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.7 miles from Burbank, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.66 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 11.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South First Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Verdugo Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Burbank, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Civic Center along the way.
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