Origin
Cutten, CA
Afternoon in Cutten on Sunday
Local time
12:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cutten, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
12h 25m
Distance
644.2 mi
1,037 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$149
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
12h 14m
★
6 AM
12h 25m
8 AM
12h 48m
10 AM
12h 33m
12 PM
12h 31m
3 PM
12h 34m
5 PM
12h 47m
8 PM
12h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Cutten to Los Angeles covers 644.2 miles of California, transitioning you from the northern Pacific Coast down to the southern urban hub. With a total driving time of approximately 12 hours and 25 minutes, this journey is best approached as a two-day trip rather than a single-day haul. You should budget about $88 for fuel to complete the trek. While the route connects two major coastal regions, the drive requires significant time on the road, making it a substantial commitment. Planning for an overnight stay allows you to manage the distance comfortably without fatigue. Ultimately, this is a long-distance drive that demands careful preparation to ensure a smooth transition between the north and south.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
322.1 miles from Cutten, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as roughly 60% of this journey is spent on highways. The route relies on the Redwood Highway, the Westside Freeway, and I-5 Truck routes to move you efficiently across the state. You will encounter a significant initial push, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 244.6 miles along the Redwood Highway. As you transition from the coastal environments toward the inland freeway system, the character of the road shifts from regional corridors to major arterial highways. Be prepared for a mix of driving conditions that transition from steady, long-distance highway cruising to the more intensive logistics of navigating major interstate trucking corridors.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Redwood Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 244.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 12h 25m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 254.3 miles in near I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 644.2 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 254.3 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.6 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.9 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
254.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m in
|
I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 451B
Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
8
271.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 32m in
|
I 580 / Interstate Highway 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / Interstate Highway 80 toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oaklan...
8
271.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 33m in
|
I 580 / MacArthur Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580 / MacArthur Freeway toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockt...
8
621.4 mi into trip
|
~11h 56m 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
627 mi into trip
|
~12h 2m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Cutten, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda and San Jose.
Oakland
254.3 mi in
|
~5h 10m
|
via I 580
Hayward
271.6 mi in
|
~5h 32m
|
via I 580
Stockton
271.6 mi in
|
~5h 32m
|
via I 580
Alameda
271.6 mi in
|
~5h 32m
|
via I 580
San Jose
271.6 mi in
|
~5h 32m
|
via I 580
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood Highway | 244.6 mi | 4h 55m |
| Westside Freeway | 224.4 mi | 4h |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway | 29.3 mi | 33m |
| William Elton Brown Freeway | 17 mi | 18m |
| MacArthur Freeway | 16.4 mi | 18m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| John T. Knox Freeway | 13.6 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
Redwood Highway
— 244.6 mi, about 4h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cutten, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Fern Street
36 ft
·
8 sec
·
Fern Street
2
Turn left onto Walnut Drive
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Walnut Drive
3
Turn right onto Holly Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Holly Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto Excelsior Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Excelsior Road
5
Turn left onto Fern Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Fern Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto Campton Road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Campton Road
7
Turn left onto Oak Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Oak Street
8
Turn left onto F Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
F Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Continue on Fairway Drive
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Fairway Drive
10
Continue on Herrick Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Herrick Avenue
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
12
Merge onto US 101
128 mi
·
2 hr 37 min
·
Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 101
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Willits Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 101; CA 20
116 mi
·
2 hr 18 min
·
Redwood Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
14 mi
·
17 min
·
John T. Knox Freeway
Exit 451B
Toward I 580: Richmond Bridge, Oakland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 80; I 580
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastshore Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Interstate Highway 80
Toward I 580 East, I 880 South: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda, San Jose
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi
·
18 min
·
MacArthur Freeway
Toward I 580: Downtown Oakland, Hayward, Stockton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 580
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the none lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
11 mi
·
11 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
William Elton Brown Freeway
23
Merge onto I 5
224 mi
·
4 hr
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
26
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.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none lane.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
33
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 644.2-mile distance effectively, plan for at least three dedicated stops to break up the 12-hour and 25-minute transit. Splitting the drive over two days is highly recommended to keep you alert and comfortable. Given the reliance on major trucking routes like I-5, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuter hours in the urban zones you are entering. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long 244.6-mile stretch on the Redwood Highway where service intervals can vary. By pacing your journey with these three planned breaks, you can maintain a steady rhythm and 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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 322.1 miles from Cutten, CA, or about 6h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.6 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 142 miles or 2h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 322.1 miles or 6h 30m 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 322.1 miles or 6h 30m
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 11h 13m
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 Cutten, 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 Cutten, CA
Aim for roughly 322 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 322 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 142 miles from Cutten, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Redwood Highway for about 244.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 322.1 mi from Cutten, CA · 6h 30m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
213 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
425 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 Richmond, CAOvernight Options
Night 1
322 mi · about 6.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Windsor, CA after about 322 miles or 6.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 142 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 322.1 miles from Cutten, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Redwood Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 244.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 322 miles or 6.2 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
$149.18 one way
$298.36 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
225 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $153.85 | $307.69 |
| premium | $6.24 | $158.34 | $316.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $143.12 | $286.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$149
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$279–$389
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 225.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $68 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 193.3 | 2 | $67.64 | $30.92 |
| Efficient EV | 161.1 | 1 | $56.37 | $25.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 257.7 | 3 | $90.19 | $41.23 |
Gas CO2
225 kg
EV CO2
75 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
12:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
46°F
Richmond, CA
425 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.
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
33 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
12h 25m 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 Cutten, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 644.2 miles and takes about 12h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Redwood Highway, Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck. 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 322 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 322.1 miles from Cutten, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $149.18 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 3 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 644.2 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 254.3 miles (I 580 / John T. Knox Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.6 miles (I 580 / Interstate Highway 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.9 miles (I 580 / MacArthur Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cutten, CA and Los Angeles, CA, road signs point toward Oakland, Hayward, Stockton, Alameda and San Jose.
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