This 114.4-mile drive from Greenacres, CA to Los Angeles, CA is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. You'll be spending most of your time on the Golden State Freeway and Hollywood Freeway, with a small portion on I 5 Truck, making it a 96% highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $26. Given its relatively short duration and highway profile, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and pace. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for the entirety of this journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.2 miles from Greenacres, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 114.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for nearly the entire 114.4 miles, with 96% of the journey on freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87.8 miles along the Golden State Freeway. This route primarily consists of fast-paced highway travel, designed for efficient transit rather than leisurely sightseeing. While the majority of the drive is on well-maintained freeways, be prepared for consistent traffic typical of the Southern California corridor.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Golden State Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 87.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Golden State Freeway and Hollywood Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 91.7 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 114.4 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 91.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 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
97.2 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
113.9 mi into trip|~2h 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
7
114.1 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
114.4 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Freeway
87.8 mi
1h 39m
Hollywood Freeway
16.2 mi
20m
I 5 Truck
5.6 mi
6m
Rosedale Highway
3.6 mi
5m
North Spring Street
0.3 mi
<1m
West Aliso Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
West 1st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Calloway Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Freeway
— 87.8 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenacres, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Calloway Drive
41 ft·4 sec·Calloway Drive
2
Turn right onto Rosedale Highway
3.6 mi·5 min·Rosedale Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward CA 99 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto CA 99
26 mi·27 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi·4 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 5 Truck
Exit 158Toward I 405 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
For this straightforward 2-hour and 15-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid peak traffic, especially as you approach Los Angeles. With no specific stops recommended, your flexibility is key; you can adjust your pace as needed. The estimated fuel cost is $26, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Greenacres. A practical tip for this route is to stay aware of your GPS for any unexpected traffic incidents on the Golden State Freeway or Hollywood Freeway, as these can significantly impact your travel time.
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 57.2 miles from Greenacres, CA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.8 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.2 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
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 Greenacres, 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 Greenacres, CA
This is one driving day of about 114.4 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Greenacres, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Freeway for about 87.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.2 mi from Greenacres, CA
· 1h 6m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 86.8
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 19.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.29 one way
$52.59 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$27.10
$54.19
premium
$6.18
$27.82
$55.64
diesel
$5.61
$25.26
$50.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.3
0
$12.01
$5.49
Efficient EV
28.6
0
$10.01
$4.58
EV Truck/SUV
45.8
0
$16.02
$7.32
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Greenacres, CA
Night
in Greenacres on Friday
Local time
10:45 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Night
in Los Angeles on Friday
Local time
10:45 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Val Verde, CA
57 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 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
2h 15m 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 Greenacres, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 114.4 miles and takes about 2h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Freeway, Hollywood Freeway, I 5 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.2 miles from Greenacres, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.29 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 demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 114.4 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 91.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Greenacres, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
