Origin
Live Oak, CA
Night in Live Oak on Sunday
Local time
9:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Live Oak, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Drive Time
7h 20m
Distance
389.4 mi
627 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$90
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 10m
★
6 AM
7h 20m
8 AM
7h 41m
10 AM
7h 28m
12 PM
7h 26m
3 PM
7h 29m
5 PM
7h 40m
8 PM
7h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Live Oak, CA
Phil Evenden
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Driving from Live Oak to Los Angeles covers a distance of 389.4 miles, typically taking about 7 hours and 20 minutes of travel time. Because this journey is entirely within California, you will remain in the Pacific Coast region for the duration of the trip. You can comfortably complete this drive in a single day, though it requires a focused effort behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $53 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, it functions best as a straightforward transit between Northern and Southern California rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
194.7 miles from Live Oak, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience as 94% of this 389.4-mile trek takes place on major roads. Your route utilizes the South Sacramento Freeway, I-5 Truck, and the Westside Freeway to maintain steady momentum. You will encounter a significant, uninterrupted 250.2-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, which dominates the middle portion of your journey. This road personality is largely defined by interstate travel, prioritizing speed and directness over technical curves or local scenery. Prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace that stays remarkably uniform from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 250.2 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 366.7 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 389.4 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 366.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 372.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 388.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
366.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 51m 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
372.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 57m 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
388.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 18m 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
389.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 19m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
389.4 mi into trip
|
~7h 20m 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 | 250.2 mi | 4h 28m |
| I 5 Truck | 63.9 mi | 1h 13m |
| South Sacramento Freeway | 29.7 mi | 34m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| Grant Line Road | 11.4 mi | 17m |
| Jackson Road | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Crosstown Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 250.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Live Oak, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
1
Start on CA 16
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
Jackson Road
Use the none lane.
2
Turn left onto Grant Line Road
11 mi
·
17 min
·
Grant Line Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on E2
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Kammerer Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
5
Merge onto CA 99
30 mi
·
34 min
·
South Sacramento Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward CA 4
7
Merge onto CA 4
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosstown Freeway
8
Take the exit onto CA 4
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
CA 4
Toward I 5: Sacramento
9
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 4
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
CA 4
Toward I 5 South
10
Merge onto I 5; CA 4
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Westside Freeway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
Westside Freeway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
237 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none lane.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 153B
Toward CA 170 South: Hollywood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on CA 170
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none lane.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 2C
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on West Aliso Street
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Aliso Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto North Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Spring Street
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto West 1st Street
354 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 7 hour and 20 minute duration effectively, plan for at least two strategic stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are facing a long stretch of interstate, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near Los Angeles. Keep your gas gauge in mind during the 250.2-mile segment on the Westside Freeway, as fuel opportunities can be spaced out along this primary artery. Because this is a single-day trip, having your snacks and music playlists ready before you leave Live Oak will help you maintain comfort during the long hours on the road.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 194.7 miles from Live Oak, CA, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.2 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 86 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.7 miles or 3h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 8m
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 Live Oak, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Live Oak, CA
This is one driving day of about 389.4 miles and 7h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Live Oak, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 250.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 194.7 mi from Live Oak, CA · 3h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
195 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 194.7 miles from Live Oak, 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 250.2 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
$90.18 one way
$180.35 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
136 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $93.00 | $185.99 |
| premium | $6.24 | $95.71 | $191.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $86.51 | $173.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$90
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$115–$140
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 116.8 | 1 | $40.89 | $18.69 |
| Efficient EV | 97.4 | 1 | $34.07 | $15.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 155.8 | 1 | $54.52 | $24.92 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% 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
Night in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
9:05 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
28 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
7h 20m 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 Live Oak, CA to Los Angeles, CA covers 389.4 miles and takes about 7h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, South Sacramento 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 194.7 miles from Live Oak, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $90.18 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 2 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 20 significant decision points across 389.4 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 366.7 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 372.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 388.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Live Oak, CA to Los Angeles, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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