Traveling from Los Angeles to Alamo covers approximately 359.5 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 38 minutes of drive time. Because this route is heavily highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $83 for fuel to traverse this stretch of the Pacific Coast. While both locations are within the same region, the drive moves you from the sprawling urban landscape of Southern California toward the East Bay area. It is a straightforward trip designed for efficiency, making it ideal if your priority is reaching your destination quickly rather than lingering along the way.
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
179.8 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 359.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 96% of this trip is spent on major highways. You will rely primarily on the Westside Freeway, the Golden State Freeway, and the I-5 Truck route to make your way north. A significant portion of your time—225.6 miles to be exact—is spent on a single, uninterrupted stretch of the Westside Freeway. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the pace remains consistent and fast-moving. Be prepared for a long, steady haul that prioritizes direct travel over technical winding roads or scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 225.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,806 ft232 ft
Total Climb
3,343 ft
Total Descent
3,358 ft
Highest Point
2,806 ft
~51.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,574 ft
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 24.5 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 359.5 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 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 346.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
24.5 mi into trip|~31m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
7
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
8
346.6 mi into trip|~6h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44B
Toward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacr...
9
346.7 mi into trip|~6h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, Sacr...
7
358.9 mi into trip|~6h 37m in
Take the exit toward Stone Valley Road West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42B
Toward Stone Valley Road West
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Alamo, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
San Francisco
310 mi in|~5h 41m|via I 580
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
225.6 mi
4h 1m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
Golden State Freeway
29 mi
33m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
19.6 mi
22m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Hollywood Freeway
15.5 mi
19m
Donald D Doyle Highway
11.9 mi
13m
Santa Ana Freeway
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Alamo, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·West 1st Street
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Broadway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 101 North, CA 110
4
Merge onto US 101
0.7 mi·55 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
5
Continue on US 101
15 mi·19 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·17 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi·1 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
15
Merge onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
1.6 mi·1 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 44BToward I 680 South, I 680 North: San Jose, Sacramento, Concord, Walnut CreekUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 680 North: Walnut Creek, Concord, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 680
12 mi·13 min·Donald D Doyle Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 42BToward Stone Valley Road WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Stone Valley Road
0.3 mi·46 sec·Stone Valley Road
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto Danville Boulevard
110 ft·7 sec·Danville Boulevard
23
Turn left
303 ft·22 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route relies so heavily on major interstates, check local traffic reports before departing Los Angeles to avoid congestion during peak hours. Given the 6 hour and 38 minute duration, leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to ensure you arrive in Alamo before dark. Remember that the longest stretch of 225.6 miles on the Westside Freeway requires steady focus, so keep your vehicle topped off with fuel before hitting that primary section to avoid any unnecessary anxiety.
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 179.8 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 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 79 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.8 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alamo, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 359.5 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Los Angeles, 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 225.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 179.8 mi from Los Angeles, CA
· 3h 22m into the drive
The midpoint is around 179.8 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 225.6 miles.
Arriving in Alamo, CA
The final approach into Alamo, 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 Alamo, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 359.5
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 359.5
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 359.5
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 24.8
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 86.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$82.63 one way
$165.26 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$85.15
$170.30
premium
$6.18
$87.43
$174.85
diesel
$5.61
$79.37
$158.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$83
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$108–$133
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.9
1
$37.75
$17.26
Efficient EV
89.9
1
$31.46
$14.38
EV Truck/SUV
143.8
1
$50.33
$23.01
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon
in Los Angeles on Thursday
Local time
1:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 11:57AM PDT until April 15 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 9:35AM PDT until April 15 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Alamo, CA
Afternoon
in Alamo on Thursday
Local time
1:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°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
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 38m 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 Los Angeles, CA to Alamo, CA covers 359.5 miles and takes about 6h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Westside Freeway, I 5 Truck, Golden State 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 179.8 miles from Los Angeles, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $82.63 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 21 significant decision points across 359.5 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 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 346.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Alamo, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. The route ranges from 232 ft to 2,806 ft elevation with about 3,343 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
