Drive Time
17m
Distance
11.4 mi
18 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Photo: Stephen Leonardi
If you are traveling from Cudahy to Los Angeles, you are looking at a quick 11.4-mile transit through the Pacific Coast region. This short trip typically takes about 17 minutes, making it a straightforward drive that is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via the Santa Ana Freeway, the Long Beach Freeway, and Florence Avenue. With a modest fuel budget of just $2, this is an incredibly cost-effective route for commuters or casual travelers. Since the entire drive stays within the same region, you won't need to worry about complex transitions or overnight stops.
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
5.7 miles from Cudahy, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 68% of your journey spent on high-speed routes. Behind the wheel, you should expect a functional, interstate-heavy experience rather than a winding scenic path. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 4.7 miles on the Santa Ana Freeway, providing a steady rhythm before you transition into the local road segments. The character of the road shifts from the fast-paced flow of major freeways to the more controlled environment of Florence Avenue. It is a practical, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes efficiency over leisure.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana Freeway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Long Beach Freeway | 3 mi | 3m |
| Florence Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Atlantic Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Los Angeles Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Arcadia Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Cudahy, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
Since this is a short 17-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, as the 11.4-mile distance is brief enough to complete in one go. Keep a close eye on traffic patterns when merging onto the Santa Ana Freeway, as that 4.7-mile stretch can be the busiest part of your drive. Because the fuel cost is estimated at only $2, you can easily budget for this trip without worry. Use this time to enjoy the convenience of a quick, direct transit between these two Pacific Coast locations.
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.
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 11.4 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.7 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Los Angeles, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cudahy, 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 Cudahy, CA
This is one driving day of about 11.4 miles and 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.7 mi from Cudahy, CA · 8m 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.
A short stop after about 11.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 5.7 miles from Cudahy, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$1.55 one way
$3.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $1.73 | $3.46 |
| premium | $4.15 | $1.86 | $3.73 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $1.68 | $3.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.4 | 0 | $1.20 | $0.55 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.00 | $0.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.60 | $0.73 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Cudahy on Saturday
Local time
9:23 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
9:23 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
55°F
Downey, CA
6 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Cudahy, CA or browse trips ending in Los Angeles, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Cudahy, CA or Los Angeles, CA on MapSof.net.
