Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Evening in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
5:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Calabasas, CA
Drive Time
35m
Distance
27.1 mi
44 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Calabasas, CA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition from Los Angeles to Calabasas, this 27.1-mile drive is a straightforward, efficient journey. You will spend roughly 35 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect one-day trip that requires no overnight stay. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, utilizing the Santa Ana, Hollywood, and Ventura Freeways to move you across the Pacific Coast region. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, it is an economical jaunt for commuters or casual travelers alike. Since the entire trip takes place within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience drastic shifts in climate or geography, but the smooth connectivity makes for a very practical drive.
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
13.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused experience, with 96% of the route consisting of major thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm on the freeway, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 15.3 miles specifically on the Ventura Freeway. Because the road is designed for high-speed transit, do not expect technical winding sections or backroad detours. Instead, you get a consistent, fast-paced drive that moves you efficiently between your origin and destination. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes speed and direct access over scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ventura Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ventura Freeway and Hollywood Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Broadway.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 27.1 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (US 101): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Broadway
Turn right onto North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
10.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 101
Take the exit onto US 101 toward US 101 North: Ventura
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward US 101 North: Ventura
8
26.7 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward Mulholland Drive, Valley Circle Boulevard
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 29
Toward Mulholland Drive, Valley Circle Boulevar...
6
26.9 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
Mulholland Drive
Turn left onto Mulholland Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
27 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ventura Freeway | 15.3 mi | 17m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| US 101 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Mulholland Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Calabasas Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ventura Freeway
— 15.3 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Calabasas, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
West 1st Street
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Broadway
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on US 101
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 101
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 101
Exit 13
Toward US 101 North: Ventura
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 101
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Ventura Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 29
Toward Mulholland Drive, Valley Circle Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto Mulholland Drive
369 ft
·
7 sec
·
Mulholland Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Take the ramp
288 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 101 South: Los Angeles
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
273 ft
·
8 sec
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn straight onto Calabasas Road
248 ft
·
7 sec
·
Calabasas Road
13
Arrive at destination
Calabasas Road
Trip Plan
Given the short 35-minute duration, you have total flexibility in your departure time, though you should keep an eye on freeway traffic patterns typical of the Los Angeles area. Since there are zero planned stops on this route, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you hit the highway to avoid unnecessary deviations. Budgeting $4 for gas is a safe estimate, but keep a little extra set aside for potential idling during peak travel hours. A great way to handle this trip is to treat it as a direct point-to-point transit rather than a sightseeing tour. Since you will be spending nearly the entire time on highways, ensure your tires are properly inflated to handle the high-speed, 27.1-mile run comfortably.
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 13.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.3 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 27.1 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.6 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calabasas, 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 27.1 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Los Angeles, 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 Ventura Freeway for about 15.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.6 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 27.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.6 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Calabasas, CA
The final approach into Calabasas, 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 Calabasas, 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
$6.28 one way
$12.55 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $6.47 | $12.94 |
| premium | $6.24 | $6.66 | $13.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.02 | $12.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.85 | $1.30 |
| Efficient EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.37 | $1.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.79 | $1.73 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% 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
Calabasas, CA
Evening in Calabasas on Sunday
Local time
5:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°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
25 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
35m 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 Los Angeles, CA to Calabasas, CA covers 27.1 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ventura Freeway, Hollywood Freeway, Santa Ana 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 13.6 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 $6.28 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 10 significant decision points across 27.1 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 0.1 miles (North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (US 101): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Los Angeles, CA to Calabasas, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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