Origin
Colusa, CA
Afternoon in Colusa on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colusa, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
8h 19m
Distance
450.7 mi
725 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$104
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 12m
★
6 AM
8h 20m
8 AM
8h 35m
10 AM
8h 25m
12 PM
8h 24m
3 PM
8h 26m
5 PM
8h 34m
8 PM
8h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colusa, CA
Sr Mashca
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Colusa to Los Angeles covers 450.7 miles and typically takes about 8 hours and 19 minutes of pure driving time. While technically possible to complete in a single long day, splitting the journey over two days is highly recommended to keep your focus sharp. You will primarily navigate via the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck route, and the Hollywood Freeway. Budgeting approximately $61 for fuel is a smart move for this trek across the Pacific Coast region. Because this route is almost entirely highway-based, it functions as a utilitarian transit between Northern and Southern California rather than a leisurely scenic tour.
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
225.4 miles from Colusa, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as this route consists of 98% highway driving. The core of your trip is defined by a significant 356.2-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, which demands steady focus and patience. Because the road is designed for long-distance transit, the drive feels consistent and direct rather than technical or winding. As you transition from the rural landscapes near Colusa toward the dense urban environment of Los Angeles, the road personality shifts from open interstate lanes to the heavier traffic patterns of the Hollywood Freeway. This is a straightforward, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and connectivity over scenic variety.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 356.2 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 9 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 450.7 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 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 427.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 433.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
427.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 50m 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
7
433.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 57m 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
7
450.2 mi into trip
|
~8h 18m 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
7
450.4 mi into trip
|
~8h 19m 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 | 356.2 mi | 6h 24m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| 10th Street | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Market Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Spring Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Aliso Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 356.2 mi, about 6h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colusa, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on CA 20
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
Market Street
Use the none lane.
2
Turn left onto CA 20
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
10th Street
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 5
24 mi
·
26 min
·
Westside Freeway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
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.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 450.7-mile journey, plan for at least two intentional stops to break up the monotony of the long interstate stretches. Since you are spending nearly the entire time on major highways, check traffic patterns on the Hollywood Freeway before your final approach into Los Angeles to avoid peak congestion. Starting your trip early in the morning is the best way to manage the duration, especially if you intend to complete the drive in one go. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 356.2-mile Westside Freeway segment, as finding convenient service stations can be spread out. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider an overnight stay halfway to ensure you arrive in Los Angeles feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.
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 225.4 miles from Colusa, CA, or about 4h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 356.2 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 99 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 225.4 miles or 4h 8m 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 225.4 miles or 4h 8m
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 7m
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 Colusa, 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 Colusa, CA
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Colusa, 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 356.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 225.4 mi from Colusa, CA · 4h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
225 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 Turlock, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
225 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Turlock, CA after about 225 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 99 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 225.4 miles from Colusa, 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 356.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 225 miles or 4.2 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$104.37 one way
$208.74 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
158 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $107.64 | $215.27 |
| premium | $6.24 | $110.78 | $221.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $100.13 | $200.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$104
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$234–$344
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 157.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 135.2 | 1 | $47.32 | $21.63 |
| Efficient EV | 112.7 | 1 | $39.44 | $18.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 180.3 | 2 | $63.10 | $28.84 |
Gas CO2
158 kg
EV CO2
53 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.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
3:04 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.
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
26 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
8h 19m 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 Colusa, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 450.7 miles and takes about 8h 19m 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.
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 225 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 225.4 miles from Colusa, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $104.37 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 17 significant decision points across 450.7 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 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 427.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 433.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Colusa, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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