This 344.4-mile drive from Los Angeles to Cedar Ridge, CA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 57 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Golden State Highway, Golden State Freeway, and I-5 Truck, with highways making up about 52% of the journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $79. Given its manageable length and mixed driving profile, it’s a feasible day trip for those starting in the Pacific Coast region and heading further into the same region within California. This route offers a straightforward path for reaching your destination efficiently.
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
172.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 57m. Total distance: 344.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, where you'll experience both faster highway speeds and potentially more local road sections. With 52% of the drive on highways, you'll cover significant ground efficiently. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.4 miles on the Golden State Highway, so plan for a period of sustained driving. The character of the road will likely shift as you progress north, moving from more urban or suburban environments to potentially more open landscapes, offering a varied driving experience.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Golden State Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 111.4 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 16.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 344.4 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 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
16.9 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
22.3 mi into trip|~28m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
229.2 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward Avenue 7
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
8
273.1 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|CA 59; CA 140
Take the exit onto CA 59; CA 140 toward CA 140 West, CA 59 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 188
Toward CA 140 West, CA 59 North
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 Cedar Ridge, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Avenue 7 along the way.
Avenue 7
229.2 mi in|~4h 16m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Highway
111.4 mi
2h
Golden State Freeway
62.4 mi
1h 9m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
La Grange Road
26.2 mi
38m
Northbound California State Route 99
22 mi
25m
CA 99
21.4 mi
24m
Snelling Highway
17.7 mi
26m
Hollywood Freeway
15.5 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Highway
— 111.4 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Cedar Ridge, 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 left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
6.0 mi·6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 99
111 mi·2 hr·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·30 sec
Exit 144Toward Avenue 7Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto CA 99
21 mi·24 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
22 mi·25 min·Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99
18
Take the exit onto CA 59; CA 140
0.6 mi·1 min·CA 59; CA 140
Exit 188Toward CA 140 West, CA 59 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto CA 59
0.2 mi·24 sec·V Street
20
Turn left onto CA 59
0.4 mi·32 sec·West 16th Street
21
Turn right onto CA 59
18 mi·26 min·Snelling Highway
22
Continue on CA 59; J16
387 ft·6 sec·La Grange Road
23
Continue on CA 59; J16
0.4 mi·40 sec·Merced Falls Road
24
Turn left onto J59
26 mi·38 min·La Grange Road
25
At end of road, turn right onto CA 108; CA 120
7.3 mi·9 min·CA 108; CA 120
26
Enter roundabout onto CA 49; CA 108
116 ft·2 sec·CA 49; CA 108
27
Continue on CA 49; CA 108
12 mi·17 min·CA 49; CA 108
28
Turn left onto Soulsbyville Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·Soulsbyville Road
29
Turn right onto Longeway Road
3.2 mi·6 min·Longeway Road
30
At end of road, turn left onto Longeway Road
0.4 mi·55 sec·Longeway Road
31
Turn right onto Big Hill Road
347 ft·9 sec·Big Hill Road
32
Turn right onto Kewin Mill Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Kewin Mill Road
33
At end of road, turn right onto Kewin Mill Road
157 ft·9 sec·Kewin Mill Road
34
Turn left onto Estralita Drive
443 ft·19 sec·Estralita Drive
35
Arrive at destination
Estralita Drive
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 57-minute journey, departing Los Angeles early in the morning is your best bet to avoid significant traffic, especially if you're hitting the I-5 Truck portion. While it’s a single-day drive, consider breaking it up with one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a convenient exit could be around 111.4 miles. The $79 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, so ensure you have enough to cover the distance comfortably.
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 172.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 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 76 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.2 miles or 3h 15m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Ridge, 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 344.4 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 Golden State Highway for about 111.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 172.2 mi from Los Angeles, CA
· 3h 15m into the drive
The midpoint is around 172.2 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 Golden State Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.4 miles.
Arriving in Cedar Ridge, CA
The final approach into Cedar Ridge, 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 Cedar Ridge, 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
$79.16 one way
$158.32 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$81.57
$163.14
premium
$6.18
$83.75
$167.51
diesel
$5.61
$76.04
$152.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.3
1
$36.16
$16.53
Efficient EV
86.1
0
$30.13
$13.78
EV Truck/SUV
137.8
1
$48.22
$22.04
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 16, 2026
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Night
in Los Angeles on Friday
Local time
10:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:28PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:28PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Cedar Ridge, CA
Night
in Cedar Ridge on Friday
Local time
10:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
62°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
11 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 57m 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 Cedar Ridge, CA covers 344.4 miles and takes about 6h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Golden State Highway, Golden State Freeway, I 5 Truck. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 172.2 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 $79.16 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 28 significant decision points across 344.4 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 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Cedar Ridge, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Avenue 7 along the way.
