Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
12:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Davis, CA
Drive Time
7h 18m
Distance
395.8 mi
637 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$92
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 8m
★
6 AM
7h 19m
8 AM
7h 40m
10 AM
7h 26m
12 PM
7h 24m
3 PM
7h 27m
5 PM
7h 39m
8 PM
7h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Los Angeles to Davis covers 395.8 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 18 minutes of drive time. Because this route is heavily focused on major arteries like the Golden State Freeway and the Westside Freeway, it is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing. You can comfortably tackle this 395.8-mile journey in a single day, as it is well-suited for a straightforward point-to-point trip. Expect to budget approximately $54 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Pacific Coast locations. While the drive is manageable in one go, keep in mind that the transit is almost entirely highway-based, making it a functional connection rather than a leisurely 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
197.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very consistent experience behind the wheel, as 97% of this trip takes place on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Westside Freeway, which accounts for a significant 297.1-mile stretch of the journey. This highway-focused profile means you can maintain steady speeds for long periods without the interruption of technical local roads or frequent turns. While the road is efficient, the lack of variety means you should prepare for a monotonous interstate grind. Navigating the Golden State Freeway and the I-5 Truck routes requires sustained attention, so plan for a drive that prioritizes speed and direct access over scenic winding paths.
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 297.1 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 24.5 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 395.8 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 381.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
8
381.6 mi into trip
|
~7h in
Take the exit toward US 50, I 80 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe
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 518
Toward US 50, I 80 East: San Francisco, South L...
9
381.8 mi into trip
|
~7h in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 West, I 80 West Business: San Francisco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Exit 518
Toward US 50 West, I 80 West Business: San Fran...
7
395.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 16m in
Take the exit toward Richards Boulevard North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward Richards Boulevard North
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 297.1 mi | 5h 20m |
| I 5 Truck | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| Golden State Freeway | 29 mi | 33m |
| Hollywood Freeway | 15.5 mi | 19m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Yolo Causeway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Capital City Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 297.1 mi, about 5h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Davis, 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
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Hollywood Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5 Truck
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi
·
41 min
·
I 5 Truck
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Golden State Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi
·
4 hr 1 min
·
Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
26 mi
·
27 min
·
Westside Freeway
14
Keep left at fork onto I 5
46 mi
·
50 min
·
Westside Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 518
Toward US 50, I 80 East: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 518
Toward US 50 West, I 80 West Business: San Francisco
Use the none lane.
17
Merge onto US 50; I 80 Business
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Capital City Freeway
Use the none lane.
18
Continue on I 80
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Yolo Causeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 80
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 72B
Toward Richards Boulevard North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn slight right onto Richards Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Richards Boulevard
22
Turn sharp right onto 1st Street
407 ft
·
20 sec
·
1st Street
23
Turn left onto F Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
F Street
24
Arrive at destination
F Street
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high, plan for at least two stops along the 7-hour and 18-minute journey. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near Los Angeles before settling into the long, uninterrupted stretches of the Westside Freeway. Since fuel costs will hit around $54, monitor your gauges during the 297.1-mile segment, as opportunities for fuel can be sparse depending on your exact pace. If you find the highway-heavy environment draining, treat your two recommended stops as dedicated opportunities to stretch and reset away from the interstate. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your departure time to bypass peak congestion periods in the major urban centers at both ends of your trip.
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 197.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 297.1 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 87 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.9 miles or 3h 41m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Davis, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 395.8 miles and 7h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Los Angeles, 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 297.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 197.9 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 3h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
198 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 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 197.9 miles from Los Angeles, 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 297.1 miles.
Arriving in Davis, CA
The final approach into Davis, 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 Davis, 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
$91.66 one way
$183.31 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $94.52 | $189.05 |
| premium | $6.24 | $97.28 | $194.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $87.93 | $175.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$92
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$117–$142
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 118.7 | 1 | $41.56 | $19.00 |
| Efficient EV | 99 | 1 | $34.63 | $15.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.3 | 1 | $55.41 | $25.33 |
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Destination
Davis, CA
Afternoon in Davis on Sunday
Local time
12:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 18m 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 Davis, CA covers 395.8 miles and takes about 7h 18m 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 197.9 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 $91.66 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 19 significant decision points across 395.8 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 381.6 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 Davis, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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