Origin
Lathrop, CA
Afternoon in Lathrop on Sunday
Local time
1:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lathrop, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
6h 3m
Distance
328.2 mi
528 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$76
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 51m
★
6 AM
6h 3m
8 AM
6h 29m
10 AM
6h 13m
12 PM
6h 10m
3 PM
6h 14m
5 PM
6h 28m
8 PM
5h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lathrop, CA
Abhishek Navlakha
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lathrop to Los Angeles covers 328.2 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 3 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is entirely within California's Pacific Coast region, you will remain on a consistent path southward. Budget approximately $45 for fuel to complete the trip, which is easily manageable as a single-day drive. While it is possible to power through the distance in one go, you might consider building in at least one stop to break up the monotony. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing major freeways to get you to your destination as directly as possible.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
164.1 miles from Lathrop, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a straightforward, highway-focused experience with 99% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for a substantial 241.6-mile uninterrupted stretch. The path relies heavily on the I-5 Truck route and eventually feeds into the Hollywood Freeway as you approach the Los Angeles basin. This is not a technical or winding mountain route; instead, it is a high-speed interstate grind that demands steady focus. Transitioning from the open stretches to the dense freeway system near the city signifies the final phase of your drive.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Westside Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 241.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 305.4 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 328.2 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 305.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 311 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 327.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
305.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 34m 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
311 mi into trip
|
~5h 40m 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
327.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 2m 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
327.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 2m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
328.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 3m in
|
West 1st Street
Turn left onto West 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 241.6 mi | 4h 18m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Lathrop Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Spring Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 5th Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| East J Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 241.6 mi, about 4h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lathrop, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on East J Street
464 ft
·
22 sec
·
East J Street
2
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Street
3
Turn left onto Lathrop Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lathrop Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 5
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Westside Freeway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth arrival, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, especially as you transition onto the Hollywood Freeway near your destination. Since the longest stretch spans over 240 miles, pacing yourself with one planned stop is crucial for maintaining alertness behind the wheel. Use that single break to refuel and stretch, as the $45 fuel estimate is based on a direct, non-stop flow. Because this is a high-speed corridor, keep a close watch on your speedometer and traffic flow, particularly during the transitions between major highways. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you the flexibility to depart whenever you feel most comfortable behind the wheel.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 164.1 miles from Lathrop, CA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 241.6 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.1 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 52m
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 Lathrop, 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 Lathrop, CA
This is one driving day of about 328.2 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lathrop, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 241.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 164.1 mi from Lathrop, CA · 2h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
164 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 164.1 miles from Lathrop, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 241.6 miles.
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.
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
$76.00 one way
$152.01 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
115 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $78.38 | $156.76 |
| premium | $6.24 | $80.67 | $161.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.91 | $145.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98.5 | 1 | $34.46 | $15.75 |
| Efficient EV | 82.1 | 0 | $28.72 | $13.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 131.3 | 1 | $45.95 | $21.00 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
1:48 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
26 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
6h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lathrop, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 328.2 miles and takes about 6h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Hollywood Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 164.1 miles from Lathrop, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $76.00 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 1 meaningful break 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 15 significant decision points across 328.2 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 305.4 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 311 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 327.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lathrop, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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