This 459.7-mile journey from Clearlake, CA to Los Angeles, CA will take approximately 8 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. Given the duration and distance, it's recommended to split this drive over two days to make it more enjoyable. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with an 84% highway share, and you can expect a fuel cost of around $106. This drive focuses heavily on efficient travel, making it a practical choice for getting between the Pacific Coast regions of Northern and Southern California. You'll want to plan for at least two stops along the way to break up the driving.
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
229.8 miles from Clearlake, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 35m into the drive
.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, making up 84% of the total mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 224.4 miles, likely on the Westside Freeway, meaning you'll have long periods on high-speed roads. The main roads guiding you include Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, and CA 29, indicating a blend of major interstates and state routes designed for efficient travel. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 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 around 84.3 miles in near I 780.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 459.7 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 84.3 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
84.3 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|I 780
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780 toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7B
Toward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
8
112.6 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30A
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
8
112.9 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, Stockton
7
113.6 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 580: Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Stockton
8
436.9 mi into trip|~8h 22m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clearlake, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward San Jose and Stockton.
San Jose
84.3 mi in|~1h 54m|via I 780
Stockton
112.6 mi in|~2h 26m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
224.4 mi
4h
I 5 Truck
63.9 mi
1h 13m
CA 29
32 mi
47m
Saint Helena Highway South
21.7 mi
25m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.2 mi
22m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
Donald D Doyle Highway
14.8 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearlake, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Duncan Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·Duncan Avenue
2
Continue on Lincoln Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·Lincoln Avenue
3
Turn right onto Polk Avenue
331 ft·18 sec·Polk Avenue
4
Turn right onto CA 53
3.6 mi·5 min·CA 53
5
Continue on CA 29
10 mi·15 min·CA 29
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Enter roundabout onto CA 29
48 ft·0 sec·CA 29
7
Continue on CA 29
22 mi·32 min·CA 29
8
Turn left onto CA 29; CA 128
6.8 mi·7 min·Saint Helena Highway
9
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
2.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
10
Continue on CA 29; CA 128
22 mi·25 min·Saint Helena Highway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on CA 12; CA 29
1.3 mi·1 min·Napa–Vallejo Highway
12
Continue on CA 29
4.0 mi·4 min·Broadway Street
13
Continue on CA 29
1.8 mi·2 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on CA 29
1.1 mi·1 min·Sonoma Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto Redwood Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Redwood Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 40 Hist
1.1 mi·1 min·Broadway Street
17
Turn slight left onto US 40 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·Alameda Street
18
Turn left onto Curtola Parkway
7.1 mi·9 min·Curtola Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 780
0.7 mi·46 sec·I 780
Exit 7BToward I 680 South: Martinez, San Jose
20
Continue on I 680
8.0 mi·9 min·Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
4.8 mi·5 min·Senator Daniel E Boatwright Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 680
1.4 mi·1 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
13 mi·15 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 30AToward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 580 East: Livermore, StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 580: StocktonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 580
1.4 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi·11 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi·6 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
31
Merge onto I 5
224 mi·4 hr·Westside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
40
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
41
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
42
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To best manage this 8-hour and 51-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach Los Angeles. Splitting the trip over two days is highly advised; plan your overnight stop roughly halfway, perhaps after around 4-5 hours of driving. With two recommended stops, ensure one is for refueling and a longer break, and the other can be a shorter stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a planned stop is over 200 miles.
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 229.8 miles from Clearlake, CA, or about 4h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 101 miles or 2h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 229.8 miles or 4h 35m 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 229.8 miles or 4h 35m
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 7h 39m
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 Clearlake, 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 Clearlake, CA
Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 101 miles from Clearlake, 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 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 229.8 mi from Clearlake, CA
· 4h 35m into the drive
The midpoint is around 229.8 miles from Clearlake, 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.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 230 miles or 4.4 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 95.1
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
15 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 79.3
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 95.1
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 443.8
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$15
near mile 79.3
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 79.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$105.66 one way
$211.32 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg161 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$108.88
$217.76
premium
$6.18
$111.79
$223.59
diesel
$5.61
$101.50
$202.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$106
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$236–$346
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 160.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
137.9
1
$48.27
$22.07
Efficient EV
114.9
1
$40.22
$18.39
EV Truck/SUV
183.9
2
$64.36
$29.42
Gas CO2
161 kg
EV CO2
54 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clearlake, CA
Late night
in Clearlake on Friday
Local time
12:52 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Late night
in Los Angeles on Friday
Local time
12:52 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 51m 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 Clearlake, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 459.7 miles and takes about 8h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, CA 29. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
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 230 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 229.8 miles from Clearlake, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $105.66 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 27 significant decision points across 459.7 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 84.3 miles (I 780): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clearlake, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward San Jose and Stockton.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
