Origin
Crescent City, CA
Afternoon in Crescent City on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Crescent City, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
14h 14m
Distance
755.3 mi
1,216 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$175
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
14h 2m
★
6 AM
14h 15m
8 AM
14h 40m
10 AM
14h 24m
12 PM
14h 21m
3 PM
14h 25m
5 PM
14h 39m
8 PM
14h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crescent City, CA
Michael Darnall
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Spanning 755.3 miles along the Pacific Coast, this journey from Crescent City to Los Angeles is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning. With a total driving time of approximately 14 hours and 14 minutes, attempting this in a single day is exhausting, so I strongly recommend splitting it into two days. You will navigate via the Redwood Highway, CA 299, and the Westside Freeway to reach your destination. Budgeting around $103 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, recognizing that this trip covers a vast stretch of California is key to managing your expectations.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
4 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
377.7 miles from Crescent City, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route is comprised of 85% highway driving. You will encounter a mix of roads, ranging from the winding sections of the Redwood Highway and CA 299 to the high-speed efficiency of the Westside Freeway. The latter accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 424.9 miles, which demands consistent focus and patience. As you transition between these different road types, the character of the drive shifts from more technical, regional navigation to a steady, long-distance interstate pace. Be prepared for the transition from smaller highways to the major arterial roads that define the latter portion of your trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 424.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and CA 299. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 74.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 755.3 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 74.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 732.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
74.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward CA 299: Weaverville, Redding, Blue Lake, Willow Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CA 299: Weaverville, Redding, Blue Lake,...
7
212.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2A
Toward I 5 South: Sacramento
8
732.5 mi into trip
|
~13h 45m 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
738.1 mi into trip
|
~13h 51m 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
754.8 mi into trip
|
~14h 13m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Crescent City, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Redding, Blue Lake and Willow Creek.
Redding
74.5 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Blue Lake
74.5 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Willow Creek
74.5 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 424.9 mi | 7h 38m |
| CA 299 | 136.3 mi | 2h 40m |
| Redwood Highway | 73.7 mi | 1h 34m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Cascade Wonderland Highway | 31.8 mi | 34m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Tehama Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 424.9 mi, about 7h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crescent City, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
9th Street
2
Turn right onto US 101
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
L Street
3
Continue on US 101
74 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
Redwood Highway
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward CA 299: Weaverville, Redding, Blue Lake, Willow Creek
Use the slight right lane.
5
Continue on CA 299
136 mi
·
2 hr 40 min
·
CA 299
Use the none lane.
6
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Court Street
7
Turn left onto Tehama Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Tehama Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 2A
Toward I 5 South: Sacramento
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 5
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Cascade Wonderland Highway
10
Continue on I 5
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Westside Freeway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
79 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none lane.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 755.3-mile trek successfully, plan for at least four stops to stretch your legs and stay alert. Given the length of the journey, departing early in the morning is essential to avoid fatigue and make the most of your two-day schedule. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge, as that $103 fuel estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local prices. Since you have a massive 424.9-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained speeds before leaving. Pacing yourself is the best way to handle the transition from the coastal region down to Los Angeles without burnout.
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 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 377.7 miles from Crescent City, CA, or about 7h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 424.9 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 166 miles or 3h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 377.7 miles or 7h 18m 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 377.7 miles or 7h 18m
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 13h 2m
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 Crescent City, 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 Crescent City, CA
Aim for roughly 378 miles and 7.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 378 miles and 7.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 166 miles from Crescent City, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 4 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 424.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 377.7 mi from Crescent City, CA · 7h 18m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
249 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.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
498 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 Chico, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
378 mi · about 7.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Red Bluff, CA after about 378 miles or 7.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 166 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 377.7 miles from Crescent City, 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 424.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 378 miles or 7.1 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
$174.91 one way
$349.82 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
264 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $180.38 | $360.76 |
| premium | $6.24 | $185.64 | $371.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $167.80 | $335.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$175
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$305–$415
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 264.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $79 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 226.6 | 2 | $79.31 | $36.25 |
| Efficient EV | 188.8 | 2 | $66.09 | $30.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 302.1 | 3 | $105.74 | $48.34 |
Gas CO2
264 kg
EV CO2
88 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
4:46 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
14 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
14h 14m 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 Crescent City, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 755.3 miles and takes about 14h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, CA 299, Redwood Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
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 378 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 377.7 miles from Crescent City, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $174.91 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 4 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 19 significant decision points across 755.3 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 74.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 732.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Crescent City, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Redding, Blue Lake and Willow Creek.
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