Origin
Cincinnati, OH
Afternoon in Cincinnati on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
38h 11m
Distance
2173.8 mi
3,498 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
4-day trip
Fuel Cost
$325
one way
Cincinnati, OH
Eyes2Soul Eyes2Soul
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Embarking on the 2,173.8-mile journey from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Los Angeles, California, is a significant cross-country undertaking that transitions you from the heart of the Midwest to the Pacific Coast. Expect to spend at least 38 hours and 11 minutes of pure driving time behind the wheel. Given the distance, you should plan for a minimum of four days to complete the trip safely and comfortably. With an estimated fuel budget of $317, it is essential to factor in these costs when planning your cross-country travel. This trek is certainly not a day trip and requires a structured itinerary to manage the 10 planned stops effectively. Whether you are moving or taking a long-distance road trip, this route offers a massive change in scenery as you traverse the country from east to west.
Trip Pace
Best split across 4 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
10 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
1086.9 miles from Cincinnati, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19h 29m into the drive .
Your journey features a highway share of 31%, requiring you to balance fast-paced interstate driving with other road types. The experience is dominated by the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, which accounts for a massive 1,033.3-mile stretch of your total time on the road. You will also navigate the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor and the Needles Freeway as you transition between regions. While the drive includes long, sustained segments, the road’s personality shifts as you move across the country. Be prepared for a mix of high-speed transit and varying road conditions that demand your full attention over the 38-hour duration.
At 38h 11m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 27; US 52.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 49 significant decision points across 2173.8 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 1.8 miles (US 27; US 52): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles (US 52; US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.5 miles (I 74; US 52 / Northwest Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp onto US 27; US 52 toward I 75 North, I 74 West, US 27 North, US 52 West
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 52; US 27 toward I 74 West, US 52 West, US 27 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 52 / Northwest Expressway toward I 74 West, US 52 West: Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 44 West, I 55 South, I 44 East: Tulsa, Memphis, Kansas City, Walnut Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 toward I 44 West, US 412 West, OK 66 West: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Cincinnati, OH and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Memphis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City and Kilpatrick Turnpike West.
Saint Louis
Memphis
Kansas City
Oklahoma City
Kilpatrick Turnpike West
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 1033.3 mi | 17h 27m |
| Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor | 266.5 mi | 4h 49m |
| Needles Freeway | 155.1 mi | 2h 46m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 138 mi | 2h 30m |
| Northwest Expressway | 94 mi | 1h 42m |
| I 70 | 93.6 mi | 1h 42m |
| Will Rogers Turnpike | 87.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike | 86.6 mi | 1h 25m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cincinnati, OH and Los Angeles, CA.
Start on Ohio Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Calhoun Street
At end of road, turn right onto Clifton Avenue
Turn left onto West Martin Luther King Junior Drive
Turn straight onto US 27; US 52
Take the ramp onto US 27; US 52
Continue on US 52; US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 52; US 27
Continue on I 74; US 27; US 52
Merge onto I 74; I 275; US 52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 52
Continue on this road
Continue on Southeastern Avenue
Turn slight left onto East Raymond Street
Continue on Sam Jones Expressway
Take the exit
Merge onto I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55; US 40
Merge onto I 55; I 64; US 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55; IL 3
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
Continue on I 44; US 50
Continue on I 44
Continue on I 44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44; OK 66
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44; OK 66
Continue on I 44
Continue on I 344
Take the exit
Continue on Northwest 10th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40; US 270
Continue on I 40
Continue on I 40
Continue on I 40
Continue on I 40
Continue on I 40; US 66 Hist
Merge onto I 15
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
Take the exit onto I 15
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10 EXPR
Merge onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Merge onto US 101
Take the exit
Continue on I 10 EXPR
Turn left onto North Los Angeles Street
Turn right onto East 1st Street
Arrive at destination
To tackle this 2,173.8-mile drive effectively, aim to distribute your 10 stops evenly across your four-day schedule. Because the longest stretch covers over 1,000 miles on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, ensure you monitor your fuel levels consistently to stay within your $317 budget. Leaving early in the morning each day will help you avoid peak traffic congestion and keep you on track for your daily mileage goals. Since you are crossing multiple time zones from the Midwest to the Pacific, prioritize rest to stay alert during the long hours of interstate travel. Staying flexible with your pacing is the best way to handle such a substantial distance without burning out.
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.
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 220 miles or 4h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 1086.9 miles or 19h 29m 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 543.5 miles or 10h 6m
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 37h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cincinnati, OH 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 4-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cincinnati, OH
Aim for roughly 543 miles and 9.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 543 miles and 9.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 543 miles and 9.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 543 miles and 9.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 1086.9 mi from Cincinnati, OH · 19h 29m into the drive
Early stop town
Coffee and fuel
543 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.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
1087 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 Wichita Falls, TX
Late stop town
Final reset
1630 mi into the route
Best for: Food, fuel, and one last short break
This is a smart final reset before the arrival run into Los Angeles, CA.
Night 1
543 mi · about 9.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Cahokia, IL after about 543 miles or 9.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
1087 mi · about 19.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Wichita Falls, TX after about 1087 miles or 19.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 3
1630 mi · about 28.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Flagstaff, AZ after about 1630 miles or 28.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 1086.9 miles from Cincinnati, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 1033.3 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 543 miles or 9.5 hours on the road.
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.
Regular Gas
$325.13 one way
$650.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.24 | $363.04 | $726.08 |
| premium | $4.79 | $409.94 | $819.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $482.94 | $965.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.89
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$325
Tolls
$10
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$675–$955
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 760.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $228 in charging · 8 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 652.1 | 8 | $228.25 | $104.34 |
| Efficient EV | 543.5 | 6 | $190.21 | $86.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 869.5 | 10 | $304.33 | $139.12 |
Gas CO2
761 kg
EV CO2
254 kg (67% less)
This is a long EV road trip requiring 8 charging stops. Plan your route around charger locations and allow extra time for charging.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Cincinnati on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
12:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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