Origin
Compton, CA
Afternoon in Compton on Sunday
Local time
3:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Compton, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
20m
Distance
11.2 mi
18 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 21m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 22m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Compton, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Compton to Los Angeles covers a quick 11.2-mile distance that typically takes around 20 minutes to complete. Because this is a short, local trip entirely within the Pacific Coast region, you can easily handle it as a straightforward day trip without needing any overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $2 for fuel should be plenty to cover this distance, making it an incredibly economical commute. You will navigate primarily via North Alameda Street, South Alameda Street, and East 3rd Street. Given the brevity of the drive, it serves as a practical connection rather than a destination-heavy excursion, allowing you maximum flexibility for your schedule.
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
5.6 miles from Compton, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a strictly local, turn-heavy drive that avoids highways entirely, meaning you will have zero highway miles on your odometer for this trip. You should prepare for constant maneuvering through city streets rather than the monotony of an interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 8.2-mile run along North Alameda Street, which provides the most consistent pace of the journey. Expect a hands-on driving experience where your focus remains on local navigation. Because the route relies on surface streets, the character of the drive is defined by urban transitions rather than open-road cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Alameda Street is the longest continuous segment at about 8.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Alameda Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 20m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Alameda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles (South Alameda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles (East 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Alameda Street
Turn right onto North Alameda Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
3
8.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
South Alameda Street
Turn straight onto South Alameda Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
10.4 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
East 3rd Street
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
11 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
11.2 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Alameda Street | 8.2 mi | 13m |
| South Alameda Street | 2.2 mi | 5m |
| East 3rd Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Compton Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Alameda Street
— 8.2 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Compton, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on East Compton Boulevard
100 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Compton Boulevard
2
Turn right onto North Alameda Street
8.2 mi
·
13 min
·
North Alameda Street
Use the none lane.
3
Turn straight onto South Alameda Street
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
South Alameda Street
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
East 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto West 1st Street
69 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 1st Street
7
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this 20-minute route requires no major stops, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever your schedule allows. While the drive is short, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention on local signage. You won't need to plan for fuel breaks or rest stops given the low mileage and minimal fuel consumption of $2. A specific tip for this path is to stay alert when transitioning between South Alameda Street and North Alameda Street, as these local roads demand frequent adjustments. Leverage the route's simplicity to focus on your arrival time in Los Angeles rather than worrying about complex logistics.
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 5.6 miles from Compton, CA, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.2 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 11.2 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.6 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
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 Compton, 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 Compton, CA
This is one driving day of about 11.2 miles and 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Compton, 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 North Alameda Street for about 8.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.6 mi from Compton, CA · 9m 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 11.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.6 miles from Compton, 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
$2.59 one way
$5.19 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $2.67 | $5.35 |
| premium | $6.24 | $2.75 | $5.51 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.49 | $4.98 |
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: 3.9 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 | $1.18 | $0.54 |
| Efficient EV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.98 | $0.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.57 | $0.72 |
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
3:03 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
21 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
20m 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 Compton, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 11.2 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Alameda Street, South Alameda Street, East 3rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.6 miles from Compton, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.59 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 straightforward 20m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Alameda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles (South Alameda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles (East 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Compton, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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