Origin
Ladera Heights, CA
Afternoon in Ladera Heights on Sunday
Local time
1:33 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ladera Heights, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
20m
Distance
12.2 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 19m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ladera Heights, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ladera Heights to downtown Los Angeles covers a short 12.2-mile distance that typically takes about 20 minutes to complete. Because this is a quick trip within the Pacific Coast region, you can easily handle it as a straightforward day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of local roads and major thoroughfares, including South La Cienega Boulevard, the Santa Monica Freeway, and South Main Street. Budgeting about $3 for fuel makes this an incredibly affordable transit option. Whether you are commuting or heading into the city for the day, the efficiency of this route allows for significant flexibility in your schedule.
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
6.1 miles from Ladera Heights, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition from neighborhood streets to the busier arterials of Los Angeles. With highway travel accounting for 44% of the trip, you will encounter a brief, fast-paced stretch on the Santa Monica Freeway, which serves as your longest uninterrupted segment at 5.4 miles. The remainder of your journey involves navigating South La Cienega Boulevard and South Main Street, where the pace naturally slows down to match urban traffic conditions. This combination keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind, offering a balance between highway speed and local road maneuvering.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Santa Monica Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 5.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near West Slauson Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 12.2 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 0.5 miles (West Slauson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Slauson Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto West Slauson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
4.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Los Angeles, Santa Monica Freeway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Los Angeles, Santa Monica Fre...
8
7.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 10 / Santa Monica Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Santa Monica Freeway toward Western Avenue, Normandie Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Western Avenue, Normandie Avenue
7
9.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue, Olive Street, Convention Center
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 Grand Avenue, Olive Street, Convention C...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Ladera Heights, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Convention Center along the way.
Convention Center
9.8 mi in
|
~15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| South La Cienega Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South Fairfax Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Bedford Avenue | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| West Slauson Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West 18th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Sherbourne Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Santa Monica Freeway
— 5.4 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ladera Heights, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on Bedford Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto West 57th Street
319 ft
·
15 sec
·
West 57th Street
3
Turn right onto South Sherbourne Drive
402 ft
·
23 sec
·
South Sherbourne Drive
4
At end of road, turn left onto West Slauson Avenue
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Slauson Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Turn straight onto South La Cienega Boulevard
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South La Cienega Boulevard
Use the none lane.
7
Turn slight right onto South Fairfax Avenue
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Fairfax Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto West Washington Boulevard
335 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Washington Boulevard
Use the none lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Los Angeles, Santa Monica Freeway
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 10
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Santa Monica Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Santa Monica Freeway
Toward Western Avenue, Normandie Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Grand Avenue, Olive Street, Convention Center
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto West 18th Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West 18th Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
Use the none lane.
15
Turn left onto West 1st Street
69 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 1st Street
16
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 20-minute drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. However, be mindful that traffic patterns on the Santa Monica Freeway can shift rapidly; checking live conditions before you pull out of your driveway is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the 12.2-mile duration is short enough to drive through in one go. Keep your $3 fuel budget in mind, but remember that city driving often fluctuates in efficiency compared to open highway cruising. Use the direct nature of this route to your benefit by keeping your vehicle prepared for quick urban transitions.
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 6.1 miles from Ladera Heights, CA, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.4 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 12.2 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.1 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 16m
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 Ladera Heights, 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 Ladera Heights, CA
This is one driving day of about 12.2 miles and 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ladera Heights, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Santa Monica Freeway for about 5.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.1 mi from Ladera Heights, CA · 11m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.1 miles from Ladera Heights, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.83 one way
$5.65 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $2.91 | $5.83 |
| premium | $6.24 | $3.00 | $6.00 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.71 | $5.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.28 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.07 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.71 | $0.78 |
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.
Destination
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
1:33 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.
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
21 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
20m 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 Ladera Heights, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 12.2 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Santa Monica Freeway, South La Cienega Boulevard, South Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.1 miles from Ladera Heights, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.83 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 14 significant decision points across 12.2 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 0.5 miles (West Slauson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ladera Heights, CA to Los Angeles, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Convention Center along the way.
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