Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
1:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Culver City, CA
Drive Time
15m
Distance
10.5 mi
17 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 14m
★
6 AM
0h 16m
8 AM
0h 19m
10 AM
0h 17m
12 PM
0h 16m
3 PM
0h 17m
5 PM
0h 18m
8 PM
0h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Culver City, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling between Los Angeles and Culver City is a quick 10.5-mile journey that typically takes about 15 minutes. This efficient trip is well-suited for a one-day excursion, as it connects two areas within the Pacific Coast region. With a fuel budget of just $1, you will find this to be an incredibly economical drive. You will primarily utilize the Santa Monica Freeway, the Harbor Freeway, and West 3rd Street to complete your transit. Given the short duration, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or multiple stops along the way.
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
5.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 70% of your time spent navigating major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, as the longest uninterrupted stretch involves 6.3 miles on the Santa Monica Freeway. Expect a blend of fast-paced freeway travel that transitions into local road navigation as you reach your destination. While the route lacks the complexity of winding mountain passes, the shift from high-speed transit to city streets defines the personality of this short commute. It is a straightforward, functional drive that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complications.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Santa Monica Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 6.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Santa Monica Freeway and Harbor 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 South Spring Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 10.5 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 0.1 miles (South Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (West 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Spring Street
Turn left onto South Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 3rd Street
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Santa Monica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Santa Monica
8
9.2 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward Robertson Boulevard, Century City, Beverly Hills, Museum of Tolerance
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 6
Toward Robertson Boulevard, Century City, Bever...
7
9.4 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
South Robertson Boulevard
Turn left onto South Robertson Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Towns Along This Route
Between Los Angeles, CA and Culver City, CA, road signs point toward Century City, Beverly Hills and Museum Of Tolerance.
Century City
9.2 mi in
|
~12m
Beverly Hills
9.2 mi in
|
~12m
Museum Of Tolerance
9.2 mi in
|
~12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica Freeway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| Harbor Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| West 3rd Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Culver Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Robertson Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Spring Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Venice Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Santa Monica Freeway
— 6.3 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Culver City, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
354 ft
·
19 sec
·
West 1st Street
2
Turn left onto South Spring Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Spring Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
West 3rd Street
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
104 ft
·
2 sec
Toward CA 110 South, CA 110 North: Harbor Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward CA 110 South: Harbor Freeway
6
Merge onto CA 110
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Harbor Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 10: Santa Monica Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 10 West: Washington Boulevard
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 10 West: Santa Monica
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 10
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Santa Monica Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 6
Toward Robertson Boulevard, Century City, Beverly Hills, Museum of Tolerance
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto South Robertson Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
South Robertson Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Continue on Robertson Place
260 ft
·
5 sec
·
Robertson Place
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto Exposition Boulevard
289 ft
·
8 sec
·
Exposition Boulevard
15
Turn slight right
176 ft
·
10 sec
16
Turn right onto Venice Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Venice Boulevard
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Culver Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Culver Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto Duquesne Avenue
75 ft
·
1 sec
·
Duquesne Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
Duquesne Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this trip is a brief 15-minute hop, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. You should treat this as a direct transit rather than a multi-stop road trip, as there are no scheduled stops required for a 10.5-mile drive. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will be minimal, requiring only about $1 to cover the distance. To ensure the smoothest experience, keep an eye on traffic patterns along the Santa Monica Freeway, as this is where you will spend the bulk of your time. Staying aware of your lane positioning on this primary stretch will help you navigate the transition onto local streets with ease.
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 5.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.3 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 10.5 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.2 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Culver City, 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 10.5 miles and 15m.
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 Santa Monica Freeway for about 6.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.2 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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 10.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.2 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Culver City, CA
The final approach into Culver City, 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 Culver City, 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
$2.43 one way
$4.86 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $2.51 | $5.02 |
| premium | $6.24 | $2.58 | $5.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.33 | $4.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.10 | $0.50 |
| Efficient EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.92 | $0.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.47 | $0.67 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Culver City, CA
Afternoon in Culver City on Sunday
Local time
1:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°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
21 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
15m 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 Culver City, CA covers 10.5 miles and takes about 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Santa Monica Freeway, Harbor Freeway, West 3rd Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.2 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 $2.43 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 16 significant decision points across 10.5 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 0.1 miles (South Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (West 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Culver City, CA, road signs point toward Century City, Beverly Hills and Museum Of Tolerance.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Culver City, CA
More trips to Culver City, CA
Explore more options from Los Angeles, CA or browse trips ending in Culver City, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Los Angeles, CA or Culver City, CA on MapSof.net.