Drive Time
7h 38m
Distance
404.9 mi
652 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$94
one way
Photo: Stephen Leonardi
Traveling from Cameron Park to Los Angeles covers 404.9 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 38 minutes of time behind the wheel. Since this trip stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region of California, you will remain in a familiar environment as you head south. It is entirely feasible to complete this journey in a single day, though it requires a significant commitment to the road. You can expect to spend approximately $55 on fuel for the trip. Because the route is straightforward and heavily highway-focused, it serves as a reliable transit path rather than a leisurely scenic tour, making it ideal for drivers who prioritize efficiency over exploration.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
202.5 miles from Cameron Park, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 52m into the drive .
This journey is defined by a high-speed, highway-focused profile, with 96% of the travel taking place on major thoroughfares. You will navigate via the South Sacramento Freeway, the I-5 Truck route, and the Westside Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 250.2 miles. Expect a consistent, interstate-heavy experience that favors steady momentum over technical local driving. As you transition between these major arteries, the road maintains a predictable, high-capacity feel that allows for efficient progress across the state. Settling into a steady pace on these expansive stretches is the hallmark of this particular 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 21.4 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 404.9 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 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 382.2 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 387.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward Bradshaw Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Broadway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 250.2 mi | 4h 28m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| South Sacramento Freeway | 29.7 mi | 34m |
| US 50 | 20 mi | 22m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Bradshaw Road | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Crosstown Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cameron Park, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
Start on Montclair Road
Turn left onto Knollwood Drive
Turn left onto Cambridge Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 50
Take the exit
Turn left onto Bradshaw Road
Enter roundabout onto Bradshaw Road
Continue on Bradshaw Road
Turn right onto E2
Continue on E2
Take the ramp
Merge onto CA 99
Take the exit
Merge onto CA 4
Take the exit onto CA 4
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
Take the exit
Continue on CA 170
Take the exit
Continue on West Aliso Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Arrive at destination
To manage the 404.9-mile distance effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Given the length of the drive, leaving early in the morning helps you navigate the transition through major freeway systems before peak traffic congestion sets in. While the route is manageable as a single-day push, keep in mind that the 250.2-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway is quite long; ensure your vehicle is fueled up and ready before hitting that segment. Having your $55 fuel budget set aside is a smart way to streamline your stops. Use these two planned breaks to break up the monotony of the interstate segments, ensuring you arrive in Los Angeles alert and ready for your destination.
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 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 89 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202.5 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cameron Park, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cameron Park, CA
This is one driving day of about 404.9 miles and 7h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 202.5 mi from Cameron Park, CA · 3h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
202 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.
A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 202.5 miles from Cameron Park, 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 250.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$93.76 one way
$187.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $96.70 | $193.40 |
| premium | $6.24 | $99.52 | $199.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $89.95 | $179.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$94
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$119–$144
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 121.5 | 1 | $42.51 | $19.44 |
| Efficient EV | 101.2 | 1 | $35.43 | $16.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 162 | 2 | $56.69 | $25.91 |
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
47 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Cameron Park on Sunday
Local time
12:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
12:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
74°F
Turlock, CA
202 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Cameron Park, CA or browse trips ending in Los Angeles, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Cameron Park, CA or Los Angeles, CA on MapSof.net.
