The drive from Janesville, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 542.7 miles and takes about 10h 55m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on US 395, Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Route 395 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is long-distance drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.1 miles on US 395.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $124.74 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
271.3 miles from Janesville, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 34m 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.
Long-distance drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
At 542.7 miles and 10h 55m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are US 395 and Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 44 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 395 is the longest continuous segment at about 109.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 10h 55m, 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 120.6 miles in near US 395.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 542.7 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 120.6 miles (US 395): Lane positioning matters here; at 519.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 525.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
120.6 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|US 395
At end of road, turn right onto US 395
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
519.9 mi into trip|~10h 26m 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
525.5 mi into trip|~10h 32m 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
542.1 mi into trip|~10h 54m 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
542.3 mi into trip|~10h 54m in|North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 395
109.1 mi
2h 21m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
104.6 mi
2h 2m
Route 395
56.2 mi
1h 4m
Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
50.9 mi
57m
Antelope Valley Freeway
49.1 mi
54m
Main Street
44.5 mi
54m
Aerospace Highway
42.1 mi
47m
Midland Trail
22 mi
25m
Longest stretch:
US 395
— 109.1 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Janesville, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Turn left onto Sears Road
0.2 mi·32 sec·Sears Road
3
Turn right onto US 395
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Route 395
4
Continue on US 395
51 mi·57 min·Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
5
Turn left onto US 395
11 mi·14 min·South Carson Street
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
488 ft·13 sec
7
Turn straight onto NV 88
0.3 mi·42 sec·Woodfords Road
8
Enter roundabout onto County Road
144 ft·2 sec·County Road
9
Continue on County Road
1.1 mi·2 min·County Road
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 395
66 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 395
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto Emigrant Street
0.5 mi·42 sec·Emigrant Street
12
At end of road, turn right onto Sinclair Street
0.1 mi·13 sec·Sinclair Street
13
Turn left onto US 395
44 mi·53 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 395
44 mi·50 min·US 395
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto North Barlow Lane
1.0 mi·1 min·North Barlow Lane
16
Turn left onto CA 168
1.5 mi·2 min·West Line Street
17
Turn right onto US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
2.4 mi·3 min·South Main Street
18
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi·5 min·El Camino Sierra
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Main Street
21
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·31 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·North Edwards Street
23
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
25
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.0 mi·8 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 14; US 6 Hist
6.4 mi·7 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on CA 14; CA 178; US 6 Hist
22 mi·25 min·Midland Trail
29
Continue on CA 14; US 6 Hist
20 mi·23 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
At end of road, turn left onto CA 14; CA 58 BUS; US 6 Hist
4.7 mi·6 min·Sierra Highway
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on CA 14
16 mi·16 min·Aerospace Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on CA 14; CA 138
48 mi·53 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Antelope Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto I 5
2.6 mi·3 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
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.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi·6 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.5 mi·32 sec
Exit 153BToward CA 170 South: HollywoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on CA 170
16 mi·20 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 2CToward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft·18 sec·West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
42
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
43
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft·12 sec·West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
44
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
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 271.3 miles from Janesville, CA, or about 5h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.1 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 119 miles or 2h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 271.3 miles or 5h 34m 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 271.3 miles or 5h 34m
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 9h 44m
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 Janesville, 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 Janesville, CA
Aim for roughly 271 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 271 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 119 miles from Janesville, 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 US 395 for about 109.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 271.3 mi from Janesville, CA
· 5h 34m into the drive
The midpoint is around 271.3 miles from Janesville, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 395 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 271 miles or 5.5 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Devils Postpile National Monument
National Monument
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 224.6
Park Closure: Reds Meadow Road Access Restrictions in 2026
Park Closure: Devils Postpile National Monument facilities are closed for the season
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
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 524
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yose...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$35
near mile 205.8
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 449.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$124.74 one way
$249.47 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg190 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$128.54
$257.08
premium
$6.18
$131.98
$263.96
diesel
$5.61
$119.82
$239.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$125
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$255–$365
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 189.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $57 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
162.8
2
$56.98
$26.05
Efficient EV
135.7
1
$47.49
$21.71
EV Truck/SUV
217.1
2
$75.98
$34.73
Gas CO2
190 kg
EV CO2
63 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Janesville, CA
Afternoon
in Janesville on Friday
Local time
4:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon
in Los Angeles on Friday
Local time
4:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:28PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:28PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
38 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
10h 55m 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 Janesville, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 542.7 miles and takes about 10h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 395, Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Route 395. 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 271 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 271.3 miles from Janesville, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $124.74 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 23 significant decision points across 542.7 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 120.6 miles (US 395): Lane positioning matters here; at 519.9 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 525.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Janesville, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Devils Postpile National Monument, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Yosemite National Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
